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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/12/2000 - Regular Agenda - Parks BoardP. 0. Box 9960 - 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 Tet 409 764 3500 Memorandum TO: Parks and Recreation Board Members FROM: Kris Stamm an, Board Secretary DATE: September 79 2000 SUBJEM. ReguHmrr Meet�ng, Uueadzy, Septemberr 12, 2000 The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks Conference Room next Tuesday, September 1292000. If you have any questions or changes to the minutes from the previous meeting, please contact me at 764-3414 prior to the meeting so that changes can be made and passed out for approval during the meet-IrIg. Also, if you, will not be able to attend the meeting, please fill out the attached Absentee Form and fax it back to me at 764-3 73 7 or e-mail me at several days in advance of the meeting in order to insure quorum requirements. Thank you and hope to see you there. Attachment: Home of Texas A&M University ***AGENDA`-Y* CITY OF COLLEGE STATION PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 Parks Conference Room I000 Krenek Tap Road 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to order 2. hear visitors 3. Pardon — Consider absences of members from meeting 4. Approval of minutes from August 8, 2000 5. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding City Council elision Statement #4 (Cultural Arts and Recreational Opportunities), e Strategy #2, Item A (Schedule periodic meetings between. Council and Parrs Board); o Strategy #4, Item C (Wolf Pen Creep lvlaster Plan implementation); o Strategy #5, Item A (Review fee structure and policy for possible revision hrl order to create funding for parrs maintenance/upgrade); o Strategy #5, Item B (Review certain parr maintenance service levels and identify options and associated costs to increase service levels). 6. Presentation, discussion, and possible approval of changes to the Lincoln Center Advisory Committee by-laws 7. Discussion and possible action regarding a roller hockey or skateboard parr 8. Discussion and possible action to scat a date for a public hearing for a grant application for Lich Creep Parr 9. Report, discussion, and possible action regarding a special venue tax 10. Report, discussion, and possible action regarding the Teen Center Deport 11. Consent Items: Capital Improvement Projects Deport Discussion of next meeting date and agenda 12. Adjourn The building is wheelchair accessible. handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made 48 fours before the meeting. To tape arrangements call (979) 764-3517 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989. Agendas posted on Internet Website httpr//www.ci.college-station.tx.us and Cable Access Channel 19. ***Minutes*** ..._ CITY OF COLLEGE STATION PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 Parks Conference Room 1000 Krenek Tap Road 7:00 p.m. Staff Present: Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation; Kris Startzman, Board Secretary; Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; David Gerling, Special Facilities Superintendent; Tony Scazzero, Recreation Supervisor; Curtis Bingham, Operations Superintendent; Lance Jackson, Lincoln Center Supervisor; Linda Waltman, Recreation Superintendent. Board Members Present: Chris Barzilla, Chair; George Dresser, Co -Chair; Glen Davis; John Nichols; Bill Davis; Glenn Schroeder; Laura Wood (Alternate). Board Members Absent: John Crompton; Jon Turton (Alternate). Visitors: Larry Farnsworth, 4012 Hunter Creek, College Station, Texas. Jo Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 20 Hear visitors: No visitors spoke at this time. 3. Pardon — Consider absences of members from meeting: Bill Davis made a motion to accept the absences of John Crompton and Jon Turton as excused. Glen Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 4. Approval of minutes from August S, 2000: John Nichols made a motion to approve the minutes from August 8, 2000. Glen Schroeder seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 5. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding City Council Vision Statement #4 (Cultural Arts and Recreational Opportunities): • Strategy #2, Item A (Schedule periodic meeting between Council and Parks Board): Eric Ploeger said that included in the Board packets was a synopsis of City Council Vision Statement #4 and the six strategies related to it. He handed out a colored chart that listed all of the vision statements and strategies that relate to the City, as well as to the Parks and Recreation Department. He added that the Council Vision Statements guide the Department's work at this time. Eric reminded the Board that there would be a joint meeting on September 28, 2000, between the Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council. Page I of 5 Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 The Board discussed a memo (included in the August 8, 2000, Board packets) that John Crompton had drafted to present at the joint meeting. The memo was in reference to the acquisition of park land prior to development, which relates to City Council Vision Statement #4, Strategy #3. During the August 8tn Board meeting, he had asked that the Board and PARR staff review the memo and give their input. After some discussion, Bill made a motion to convert the memo to a draft document entitled "Acquisition of Park Land Prior to Land Development." John N. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. The document will be placed on the agenda for the joint meeting between the Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council on September 28, 2000. ® Strategy #4, Item C (Wolf Pen Creek Master Plan implementation): Glenn S. and George Dresser gave an update on the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee meeting that was held on Monday, September 11, 2000. The meeting discussion centered mainly on changes within the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor due to the relocation of the hotel and conference center to Highway 60. This was a discussion item only, and no motion was made. (For more information on the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee meeting, please see attached minutes from the September 11, 2000 meeting). ® Strategy #5, Item A (Review fee structure and policy for possible revision in order to create funding for parks maintenance/upgrades): Eric stated that this item involves review of the Department's fee structure to determine if there is room for park maintenance upgrades. He went on to say that the City would hire a consultant to review the City's fees and compare them to fees of other cities. ® Strategy #5, Item B (Review certain park maintenance service levels and identify options and associated costs to increase service levels): Eric stated that there were two parts to this item. 1) The first part dealt directly with parks maintenance issues. Eric said that the Department has asked for additional funding to cover major renovations and maintenance to three youth soccer fields, as well as funds for the maintenance of 14 other soccer fields. George D. asked if there were measurable maintenance standards that could be used to evaluate service levels. Eric responded that part of this strategy is to develop more defined service levels. He went on to say that he would have to research the Recreation, Park, and Open Space Master Plan and report back to the Board during a future meeting. 2) The second part dealt with an Urban Forestry Management Plan. Ross Albrecht took the floor. He stated that at the July Board meeting, he had been asked to gather information on what it would cost to produce an Urban Forestry Plan for College Station. Ross contacted Charlie Burditt, an Urban Forest and Natural Resource Consultant from Conroe, to put Page 2 of S Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 together some preliminary recommendations (These recommendations were handed out to the Board at the meeting). Ross stated that if the City follows the points outlined in the recommendation, the cost estimate for developing the plan would be between $20,000 to $30,000. The cost estimate does not incorporate an inventory of every park or street tree in the City of College Station. He went on to say that adding this inventory to the plan would incur a substantial cost. Ross stated that the recommendation also talks about liability issues. He said that liability should be a concern because the urban forest is a liability. He said that the Board's interest in developing an Urban Forestry plan fits well with the City Council's Vision Statements regarding park maintenance standards. During the July Board meeting, Ross had discussed the possibility of applying for a matching grant to help fund an Urban Forestry program. George asked Ross if he thought that there would still be fiends available through this grant. Ross responded that there are still funds available, and for management plans, the grant opportunity could provide a maximum of $10,000. He went on to say that the Department would need direction from the City Council in order to apply for the grant. George also asked if the City would be required to do an RFP (request for proposals) or if they could contract with Burditt Associates. Ross said that he would need to check with the City's Purchasing Department and report back to the Board. Ross reminded the Board that there are other firms that can perform this kind of work, but Burditt Associates is located closest. Ross suggested putting this item on the agenda for the joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council on September 28`'' Bill made a motion to put this item on the agenda for discussion and to submit the preliminary recommendations from Burditt Associates for the joint meeting. George seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 6. Presentation, discussion, and possible approval of changes to the Lincoln Center Advisory Committee by-laws: Lance Jackson took the floor. He stated that during Lincoln Center Advisory Committee meetings, some Committee members had expressed a desire to extend their terms. They had made several recommendations on how to do this, but would like some direction from the Parks and Recreation Board. John N. suggested that members just reapply for a second term and that the by-laws not restrict term limitations. After some discussion, the Board agreed that the by-laws should remain as written so that members could reapply to serve longer terms on the Committee. No action was taken on this item. 7. Discussion and possible action regarding a roller hockey or skateboard park: This item has been discussed during previous Board meetings. Laura Wood mentioned that she has heard of several different petitions circling around in favor of these kinds of parks. Glenn S. and Bill are concerned about the liability issue. Eric said that he would be able to research this issue through the National Page 3 of S Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 Recreation and Park Association's e-mail service (NRPAnet). Laura asked about the possibility of applying for a grant to build both a roller hockey and skateboard park. Eric suggested at one point having a public hearing to discuss this item. He suggested having it in November to give the Department a month to gather more information. Bill made a motion to schedule a public hearing for November after receiving additional information at the October meeting. John N. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 8. Discussion and possible action to set a date for a public hearing for a grant application for Lick Creek Park: Eric said that the Department is in the process of preparing a Parks and Wildlife grant application for site development at Lick Creek Park. The application is due January 31, 2001, and part of the application process includes holding a public hearing. Bill made a motion to hold the public hearing in October 2000. Glen D. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 9® Report, discussion, and possible action regarding a special venue tax: This item (whether the City should increase the hotel/motel tax rate by 2% to help fund Veterans Park and Athletic Complex) has been discussed during previous meetings. In order for the City to use this special venue tax, it has to be self- supporting without the aid of ad valorem taxes, although sales taxes can be used. Eric said that this item was presented to the City Council. The Council had some questions regarding estimates and projections for the complex that they would like PARD staff to research and report back to them about at a later date. Chris Barzilla stated that Council appeared a little leery about increasing taxes, but that they would also like to look into the feasibility of using this proposed tax for other areas, for instance, for a performing arts center. This was an informational item only, and no motion was made. 10. Report, discussion, and possible action regarding the Teen Center Report: Shannon Waddell took the floor. He stated that he had included the Youth Services goals for FY2000-2001 in the Board packets, along with an action plan on how to achieve them. Shannon gave the Board a summary of what Youth Services has accomplished and what they hope to accomplish in the future. Shannon stated that originally, the goal was to get 2,500 kids to visit the Teen Center. He went on to say that the final numbers haven't been calculated, but at the end of the first nine months, there have been 8,700 visits. He stated that Youth Services is looking into expanding their program base and there is room to grow. He stated that the Teen Center has dropped the yearly membership fee to $10/kid to be in line with the Lincoln Center's membership fee. Both facilities honor each other's membership. Bill asked about the possibility of using both the Teen Center and the Lincoln Center as school bus stops or running an activity bus from the schools to the facilities. Shannon stated that he had checked into this before and the cost was too high, but he could look into it again. Page 4 of 5 Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 Shannon stated that a student from Texas A&M University conducted a case study of the Teen Center as a class project. He went on to say that her recommendations are listed throughout the action plan. 11. Consent Items: — Capital Improvement Projects Report: Eric stated that he had included a list of active capital projects and priority levels in the Board packets. He went on to say that the list would be kept updated. Glen D. would like the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex Subcommittee to reconvene and to review the Recreation, Park, and Open Space Master Plan. — Discussion of next meeting date and agenda: The next meeting/public hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2000. The Board would like the following items on the agenda: ® Appointment of a replacement for Chris Barzilla on the Community Attractions Committee with the Chamber of Commerce. ® Appointment of a replacement for Glen Davis on the Recreation and Sports Committee when his term expires. ® Glen would like to discuss the FY2000-2001 Board goals during a future meeting. 12. Adjourn® The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Page 5 of 5 Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2000 From, Jon Turton <jturton@mail.st-joseph.org> Tca "Kris Sta#tzma ' <KSTARTZ AN@ci.co8lstation.tx.us- Dated 9f690011.11A sumeft RIB; Request 9 would like t® request an excused absence from the Parks Board meeting ®n September 12th. 6 WH be at a professional conference on Charleston, South Carolina and will not be able t® get (hack in time for our meeting, apologize for the inconvenience. 9 look forward to catching up at our October meeting, Jon Turton CSPARD Board Member 07/06/009:00 AM Vision Statement #4 As a result of our efforts citizens Will be enriched by a range of cultural arts and recreational opportunities provided through citywide initiatives and collaborative efforts. Strategy #1 More emphasis on Making Parks More Intergenerational Implementation Plans a. Direct Parks Board to place more emphasis on "passive" parks, i.e. benches, walking paths Strategy #2 More Interaction Between Parks Advisory Board and Planning and Zoning and Shared Vision With Council Implementation Plans a. Schedule periodic meetings between Council and Pavks Boal Strategy #3 Continue to Update Comprehensive Plan Regarding Parks System 9mPgamentation Plans a. Establish design standards and criteria for development and placement of parks./Examine zoning ordinance as it relates to park land location and acquisition b. Analyze park distribution to determine areas that may be under served or under utilized. Strategy #4 Connectivity Between Greenways and Parks Implementation Plans a. implement demonstration project to establish a future policy regarding greenway - park connectivity b. Greenways review (See Vision #6 Strategy #2) c. Wolf Pen Creek Masterplan implementation Strategy #6 Continued Emphasis on Parks Maintenance to Quality Standards Through the Budget Process lImplementaflon Plans a. Review fee structure and policy for possible revision in order to create funding for parks maintenance/upgrade. b. Review certain park maintenance service levels and identify options and associated costs to increase these service levels. Strategy #6 Develop Programs and Facilities for Senior Citizens Implementation Plans a. Staff work with Sr. Advisory Board to address space/facility needs. b. Address creating a Senior Citizen Advisory Board 131 The City Council has a strong interest an € along our park system more Intergen rabonM" for our citizens. To assist in achieving tHs goai9 pisase identify the .fop three amenities that yQu- woWd Re to see inoWded on future College Stafnon parks: Rom Mum bG-T'Awoo school Qgo TBORo cCoBage Age Young MOW SsMora Ko6'h Grade 7"' o 12Ih Grade Ages 19-25 Ages 26-49 Ages 5 Thank you for your assistance° JUL-"'1 00 11:56 FROMzPARKS REC & TOURISM 409-545-0446 TO.409 764 3737 PAGE202 TO: College Station City COURCH 41' tl� _'!it' la�nir �1�ifi lUn 9t'1:4 t°- is t�l 1i:`,Itiorl CUIai3ill ! piio( to 3 ii ti wtop�iy<< 1n their strategies I a' to Visions #4 and 49 the City Council requested the Pa.'k' and Recreation Board's input on the prop owed avategy of acquifing land for neighborhood and co nmunit 17 �0, pr g to do elogmcnt. Thg interpt eta11 ti' i of the Council s atrat� e W' iv n to �s (1) Development of a pro urg for planning parks in advancr, of development; (2) Establishment of mitefl& for deWng desirable pukland9 (3) Establishment ofpgocedures fog, maWng parks the fbca� pointo fog the c ity'z Mum growth. JUL—F! 00 11*56 FROM -PARKS REC & TOURISM 409-645-0446 TOa409 764 3737 PAGE:;03 mended Actions We recommend the city issue Certificates of Obligation to purchase four sites of approximately 15 acres for future neighborhood parrs and two sites of appeoximady 75-100 acres for future conunuaity parks. Assuffaang a purchase price of $10,000 per acre, the cost of the CO's will be approximately $2.5 flillion. Investment in the CO°s will contribute to the Council's planning and social goals. At the sane time, they may be regarded as a "Roan" since the $2.5 Million vAll be repaid to the city &am 3 sources: (1) Reinvestment ftorn the dedication ordinance requirement that devi5lopers Gontribm funds (') The potential e"dst: to expand the Oriiil'�'ance u'i`e it is revised In eafly 2002 to iniAud d d•i �ati�r: ia;r c=�mmu.^,it°.' �r1 5. This ha'c�n c•ne in rya �pi y' lit ommur,it. (3) They incremental oncrease in property values acound the parr sates is likely to be around 20%. [This us the same principle and ratnoaale used by devcc opens who build golf courses in residential developments cf Pebble Creek], This will increase the city's tax returns from these properties by approximately 20%. Concluding Comments In our view, this investment of $200,000-$250,000 a year in debt charges from the C®°s which mill be returned to the city over time is the ori➢y rea➢istic way to accomplish the goals laid out in strategies and #8, 2. Such a foresighted investmctit gill have a substantial positive impact on the quality of life in College Station in 2030. There is precedent in the city- -Central Puk, Southwood Athletic Farb and Lick Creep implemented p. 0. Box 9960 a 1101 Texas Avenue a College Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 MEMORANDUM TO: Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee FROM: City Staff DATE: August 28, 2000 SUBJECT: Implementation Strategies Recommendation Staff recommends that the implementation of the Wolf Pen Creek Master Plan move forward as quickly as possible. To accomplish this end, four specific proposals are offered: A. Upper Reach Trails - Trails between Dartmouth and Texas Avenue be designed and constructed wherever land ownership permits. B. Lower Reach Trails - Designate trail locations and secure land needed for construction. Design and construct trails as soon as possible. This portion of the creek will not be "channelized" and will receive minimal drainage improvements. This may require some ordinance changes to implement. C. Develop a request for proposal to \market the city -owned four -acre tract on Holleman Drive for commercial development. RFP's will be received and ranked to determine the most appropriate project for the location. D. Conduct the design charette for project elements concurrent with trail development and the RFP process. This information can then be incorporated into the completed trail system, public improvements and private development concepts as they occur. We feel that this process must move forward as soon as possible. The master plan implementation has moved from the "conceptual" phase into the "design and construction" phase. To complete this process, we feel the above -recommended proposals are essential to success. Thank you for your support and assistance in this project. CONSTffUTMNAL BY-LAWS of the LI COLN CENTER ADVISORY COMMMTEE My of CoHage Staflan, Texas ARTMLE fl oo RULES OF THE ADS ORY COMMMTEE section 9 puirposa The "Lincoln Center Advisory Committee" hereinafter referred to as the Committee, shall be composed of seven (7) members and (1) alternate member, The purpose of this committee is to interpret the needs and interest of this community and advise the recreation center staff and the Parks and Recreation Board concerning recreational programs, ideas and activities that satisfy these needs and/or interests. The committee will participate in formulating plans, assist in recommending policy, and evaluating programs. The terms of office for the Committee shall commence on September 1, and shall be two (2) years in length and the members thereof shall be appointed by the Parks and Recreation Board. The Board will commission three appointments in odd years, and four appointments in even years. Becton M Termination Any Committee member appointed by the Parks and Recreation Board shall forfeit that membership if absent for more than three (3) meetings, or 25% of the meetings, whichever is greater, in one appointment year, unless the absenteeism is for medical reasons. Absenteeism may also be excused by the Committee or by the marks and Recreation Board. If a member goes beyond this absenteeism limit, the Parks and Recreation Board shall be advised to declare the position vacant and appoint a new member to fill the vacancy. section 8V olrganoxauon Said Committee is authorized to establish its own constitution and by-laws and shall provide for regular and special meetings necessary to carry on its business, separate and apart from the City of College Station, except as herein provided. Section V UmMtlons expenseThe Committee shall not be authorized to incur on behalf of the City of College Station an7 h incidentifoperation of said parks and recreation programs, unless expressly authorized to ':!1• _o by the City Council.he Committee shall 1tknowingly 'ondubusiness that has been assigned by ordinance to any other governing or advisory body of the City of College Station. LC Advisory committee By-laws Page 1 of 4 0:\boardUincoin\byiaws97l30-Oct-98 RT9CLE 09 -- MEETING sacUon I Annuaeetlgngs The annual meeting of the Committee shall be held at a date and time to be designated by the Committee. sgotlon U RagWav Pjfissftg The regular meeting shall be held on the first Monday of each month at the hour of 5:45 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. 3906on M Wof e of Maefings Notice of all regular meetings shall be delivered to each member of the Committee and One Parks and recreation Board liaison at least five (5) days prior to each meeting. Notice of all meetings shall be posted at City ball and delivered to the news media in compliance with all state and local news. 89c4an W spscaa1 MasUngs Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair of the Committee or by three Q3y members of the Committee. 86CUOR V [porn of MoWng The place of the meeting shall be at Lincoln recreation Center unless other wise stated in the call. sec t9on VQ Quorum Four (4) members of the Committee shall at all tines constitute a quorum. Section VU Was of OT&F General parliamentary rules, as given in Robert's rWes of Order, as modified by the rules and regulations of the Committee shall be observed in conducting meetings of the Committee. ssc Uon VW ordeal of suWness The following shall be the Order of Business of the Committee, but the rules of the order may be suspended and any matters considered or postponed by action of the Committee. 2. bear visitors, petitions, and/ or communications. LC Advisory Committee By-laws Page 2 of 4 0:UbaardMincolnlhylaws97130-Oct-98 SSCOCion WO Ordar O SuaMeas (Como) 4. Approval of minutes from previous meeting(s). 5. Discussion itom(s): 6. Report. 7. Consent itern(s): 8. Adjourn ARTME M 4a OFFPCE S The Parks and Recreation Board shall appoint one member O the Committee to servo as Chair and one member to sere as Vice -Chairman on an annual Basis. SecUan U DOoea of the C Coal nee CMpman The Chair O the Committee shall preside at the meetings of the Committee, and shall perform the other duties ordinarily performed by the officer. 86050n M nutoas off the Wks —chairman The Vice -Chairman O the Committee, in the absence of the Chair, shall perform all the duties of the Chair of the Committee. in the absence of both the Chair and the Vice -Chairman, the Committee shall elect a Chair pro tempore who small perform the duties of the Chair of the 88c"don W olq� a off the cantw supsMa00r He/She shall act as the chief executive officer of the Committee, but shall NOT be o member. He/She shall attend all regular meetings and participate in discussions, but shall not be anUtled to vote. Qf THE W OOPr�MTTl EE S' OF HE Ca MMETT E secdon Q APPOMwIL o� SPOCW COMMM685 SpeciM Committees shall be appointed by the Chair for consideration and sturdy of any matter not covered by the Committee during regular or special meetings. The Special Committees shall report their findings to the Committee. sec-dan it a- mandmento LC Advisory Committee By -taws Page 3 of 4 ®:\boardUincoln\bylaws9-A30-Oct-98 These by-laws may be amended at any regular meetings of the Committee by a majority vote of the members present, provWed previous notice of the nature of any proposed amendment shall have been given of least one regular meeting before the action thereon shall be taken. LC AdNiaory Committee By-laws Page 4 of 4 C:\boae dUincolnlbytw497130-0ct-98 These by -la tm shall be automatically amended by any future ordinances passed by the Parks and Recreation Board dealing with matters relating to the Lincoln Recreation Center Advisory Committee. Lincoln Center advisory Committee Chairman M Attest: Lincoln Center Advisory Committee Secretary Date Approved by the College Station [darks and Recreation Board can the _ day of 1997. P'�r; s he rt iic•t� �• �'.� � ��.� ®ate Attest; Parks & Recreation Board Secretary Rage LC Advisory Committee By laws Page 5 of 4 0AboarcNinc olnlb &m97130-Oct-98 F?Qmo Lance Jackson Too Kris Sea man naffs' 8117/00 4:41 PM sub'�OCE' Parks Board Agenda Kris, the subject of advisory term limits was discussed at part of the LRC advisory committee Meeting On August 14, 2000. 9t was by consent that this advisory committee feat as though we should mews towards extending the length of public service to another term., with an option to serve. Meaning that they are willing to serve at least one to ,two more years. I am very proud and honored to be associated with a tine, caring and dedicated group of people. We have never had at the Lincoln Recreation Center, folks who have been committed to helping 6n all aspects of the Center's potential grotAkh and capacity to become a facility to be use by all citizen's of Brazos Valley. That' are concerned about the Center's future as as the City of College Station. At this juncture, the committee stressed that they were now beginning to jell as a teams and desired to serve the elision of the Center and our Department goals. Can additional terms he a consideration? What are all the steps involved with this? Please convey my thoughts to this to the Parrs Board? Thanks,, Lance CC- bac@Dpurcha .tamu.edu; c allowms@spa.ars.asda.gov; Sterne Beat icy, Watson, Cathy o RGS Promo Lana Jackson Too Kris Startzman Dsty 8/29/00 8:49AM OuNgcto sae By-laws As proposed by the LRC committee, they would like aara,;a an additional and optional one or two year tarn as approved by the Parks Board. The purpose by consent will be to maintain continuity, sense of purpose, and stability. Some want to continue t® serve. So, It would read: serve two, year terms with an option for a on or two year tarfnn as approved by the Parks board �Mth our recommendations. Also, via wanted to change the meeting to the second Monday of each month @ 5:45 p,m. Thanks, Lone >>> Kris Startzman 08128/00 01:56PM >>> Lance, Please send me a copy of your proposed bymlauvla for the Lincoln Canter Advismy Commiftee to putt in 00tcbar°a Board packets. Electronically would be great? ;®) Thanks Lanap Kris CC-, dgerlfin Petition in Favor Of a Skating Park We, the undersigned kids of College Station, Texas, want to have a skating park including ramps, jumps, etc. for skating recreation and competition for the youth of our community. We believe that such a park would be good for the following reasons: 1. Skateing is fun. 2. Really good skaters in College Station don't have anywhere to skate except on streets and public areas. 3. Skateing at a park will give kids a chance to be more active and watch less TV. 4. It is a good way to exercise. 5. Skating and skate boarding is getting more popular around the country. 6. Skating at a skating park would be safer than skating on streets. This petition was started by Andrew and Scott Meyer. Printed Name Si-anature Address Phone No. 81 ql�UA r4 or d ct(. tie, b"kLQ0,\- Av�, Ii 6 1 1 x x ak �nn I �I jCWL 40e , IWI x No, rg-r �Cpl LM 12 6 (fiq /aaq � (�:3- S�?c X I -(M 0i -7k -7 N 1, �qq - L7��- 3 7) 75 1(60 A -JPJF// 3( 47 7 C-4, -A-ii4o)- x 2 yqql old coikoil x 9 2- 09L- - ss O� 1� C�Tka 1 4 fAi-dt t�v,L-,�LJ Llpll� CY/ 7 7� v 034IN 7(fLI 157- �77S s aotkAar*) /5v- $,Al (40 L-q�fy-146Y-Ll -CS x x !�`.hrs�-� �i�� t�2� C,ancc,r,� �,�, ik 71s�5 1�q3 �.-1-0i� SC akf f�, C6 x to -Q-7 \ ///�/•/"'1''/ /`� l I = i Z J{/ . If..- iyqJ, I ,I M/ �.. J/!J' 4,93 q5�7- o K�Y�(cx 8) x IZD 7,kk <1 ro TCA L/ /0 1 47 C)rA4f IV Vh lf-I floc, k Y,� A August 31, 2000 Mr. Pete Vaneeek City of College Station COMMISSIONERS 1000 Krenek Tap Rd. LEE M. BASS CHAIRMAN, FT. WORTH College Station, Texas 77840 CAROL E. DINKINS VICE -CHAIR, HOUSTON ERNEST ANGEL., JR. MIDLAND Dear Mr. Vanecek: JOHN AVILA, JR. FT. WORTH RICHARD (DICK) HEATH I am pleased to inform you that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has awarded DALLAS ALVIN L. HENRY National Recreational Trails Grant funds and your Lick Creek Trail project was HOUSTON awarded $80,000 of grant funding. Congratulations, competition for funding was fierce KATHARINE ARMSTRONG IDSAL DAL-LAS with over three times the request for funds as funds available. NOLAN RYAN ALVIN We will begin environmental and historical resource reviews of the awarded projects MARK E. WATSON, JR. SAN ANTONIO and may contact you for additional information, if needed. These reviews should be PERRY R. BASS CHAIRMAN -EMERITUS completed within two months. After these reviews are completed, I will make FT. WORTH arrangements to meet with you and view the trail site and proposed work to be ANDREW SANSOM accomplished with the grant funds. At this time, you will receive copies of our billing EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR procedures and a project agreement to execute. Please remember that this program will only reimburse you for 80% of the project cost, up to the amount approved, for costs incurred after the project agreement has been fully executed. Do not start your project or incur any costs until this agreement is signed by all parties. By law, you can not be reimbursed for costs incurred prior To manage and to the execution of the project agreement. consel-tv the natural and cultural resources of Texas for the use and etjopnenl of present and future, gmerations 4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744-3291 512-389-4800 —w.Ipwd.stateAx.uS Please feel free to contact me at (512) 389-4737 if you have any questions. Again, congratulations for developing such a worthy trail project and compiling a successful grant application. Sincerely, Andrew Goldbloom Program Manager 1 Brothers Park Improvements I Business Center Landscaping Project 1 Cemetery Land Acquisition 3 Central Park Improvements 2 Community Park Acquisition 3 Gabbard Park Improvements 1 Hallaran Pool Filters & Coating (FY'01) 2 High School Tennis Court Lights (FY'01) Indoor Grant Application for Joint CSISD Project I Lemontree Park Playground 1 Lick Creek Grant Application 2 Lick Creek Trails Grant Project 2 Lincoln Improvements 1 Merry Oaks Improvements 1 Merry Oaks Playground Replacement 2 Millenium Winds Improvements (FY'01) 2 Oaks Park Bridge I Parking Garage Landscape Plan 1 Raintree Park Improvements 3 Shenandoah Park Development Southwood Soccer Field 1 Renovation (FY'01) 1 Thomas Park Improvements 12 Thomas Pool Improvements I Thomas Pool Leak Investigation & Underway Underway Underway Budget Request Budget Request D u e 7/31 /01 In Construction In Progress Due 1/01 Grant Submitted Underway Budget Request In Design In Design Budget Request In Construction Budget GG9905 F9 %2 �* $32,000 $250,000 $275,000 $17,000 $520,000 $78,000 $120,000 $91,500 01m) G.O. '78 G.O. '98 G.O. '98 Bond `98 G.O. FY'01 FY'01 PK0066 $22,000 '98 G.O. '98 G.O. 1 $126,265 Grant Funds I $90,000 FY'01 $ 37 Replacement '000 Funds $25,000 '98 G.O. $7,195 FY'01 PK0067 $28,000 '98 G.O. C.O. PK0068 $44,000 '98 G.O. $48,000 Ded FY'01 PK9931 $84,000 '98 G.O. $19,000 '98 G.O. !/ilt. :�:1• 1 Repair (FY `01) Request $25,000 FY '01 I 1 Veterans Park Phase I In Design PK9941 $2,120,000 '98 G.O. Budget 2 Veterans Park Water Feasibility (FY `01) Request $25,000 FY `01 I 1 West District Maintenance Shop In Construction PK9927 $501,000 '98 G.O. 1 1 Willow Branch Tennis Courts In Construction PK0074 $125,000 DED 2 Woodway Park Development $468,600 OTHERS 1 City Center Concepts 1 City Hall Atrium George Bush at Wellborn Road to Texas 3 Avenue Medians Historic Lighting Project (FY `01) 2 Northgate Park (FY `01) 2 Raintree Land Acquisition 2 Venue Tax Issue 1 Wolf Pen Creek trails Budget Request In Design PRIORITIES #1 a In progress currently or will be in progress before January 1, 2001. #2 o In progress before August 1, 2001 #3 — In progress after October 1, 2001 O:/parks/Projects/CI P/cip2001.doc 20 S. II WY OF COLLEGE STAT50H Pr." RIKS AND RECR A'nOH ®EPARTG^t EH7 Cv` NTAL NAL ROVEMENTS PP3O AP;,N PROJECT STATUB septembw 2000 VETERANS PARK & ATHLET�C COMPLEX MASTER PLAN Pu,Asc4 Murnba�. PK9941 Budget- $2,038, 000 Co aft"Ct % ounn '. $1680,200 (O'Malley Engineers) Project Mancage�- Eric Ploager prrgac t 09MUm. O'Malley Engineers The Master Plan ww approved by the City Council on May 25, 2000. Design of Phase l began June 6, 2000. AdvoTfiz anent & Aw@ird: February 2001 COMPWiam November 2001 WEST DdSTREC I G`�A9H-`l� NACE SHOP Prgec t riAum er., Budget, Droft"fl Contmc( Amino u na. PffoAec t RanagOF- p5mje a 08'elgn, G K9927 $501,600 $30,280 Eric Ploager Holster and Associates Con-structlon began on July 31. 2000. C Prro�oct L ooagn, March e February 2000 Qdwafter ent & Awim,V*lo April - June 2000 cca6t?amedo , January 2001 COM6t UMPT PARK -AND CEEIETRY WE E ACOUISITION PVgQ 80t Guumbepa Budgei.. Cantf � t Amount- P rro�(!,�Ct PUR"I ageF. N/A 500,000 - Park $275,000 - Cemetery NIA Eric Moeger Wv LLQW BRANCH TENNW COURTS Pirooct Numbewo PK0074 Budget- $125,000 (Pads Land Dedication Fund, Zone 6) pc,oct ManaQerm Eric Ploeger, Asst. ®lreclor Pvo�aot Deew : Municipal Development Group - for CSISD cmmmentsiStatuso interl®cal agreement approved by City Council ®n June 22, 2000. Completion is expected by December 2000. CiP Report 5. Jo T. PLAYGROO UND REPLACEMENTS 0ROTHERS POND. RAWREE4 AND MERRY OAKS a project �Aum-be a PK0068 sudosg0 Brother's ($32,000), Raintroe & Haag Oaks ( 25,000/each) Con£rr c& amount. NIA Pw:q*C9 Hanagepa Pete Varnecek-, Senior Park Planner € vgect Oesign- Parks and Recreation Department Staff OaMgno May 2000 to July 2000 Adve stWoment At,y@pd. September 2000 CompkUonm December 2000 Council approval of Paid is expected September 14, 2000. PL„VOROUNt7 AN® BASKETBALL CQURT RE ACEMENT"S.(��IKONT � AND THOiVIAS PAR�o Project Number: PK0066 and PK9931 Budget: Lernorntres e $22,000 Thomas m $68,000 Cofl2rrnc t Amount. $101,000 m RM Dudley Construction Prgac t Hanagepo Pete Vanocek, Senior Park Planner ppo�aeq, 0900 gna Parks and Recreation Department Staff OsWgna February 2000 to April 2000 AVM- aTd- May 2000 co pn tiuom. September 2000 BUNNES ( G C fi= '9O�C apt l� � t if dC7k t J I�do prrqaot mufflb&Tz 009705 Budget. V30,000 contpiot amount- WA pro �U� a po Pete venscak pfroDect O@0agn. PARR Staff Dwpg . saptambop e actobav 2000 Awvwcfyl� ,llovambap 2000 compft n- Gvbacrc h 20 � CIP Report MINUTES Plwmhlg and Zohung Commission/1"arks & Recreation Board JOWT WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE ST ATION, TEXAS July 20, 2000 5:00 Polo C(DIR�-i'viiA791,�7)a(BIrliERS FRESENT.- Commissioners Floyd, Harris, Happ, Warren, and William& ABSENT- Chairman Mooney and Corfm,issioner Horicn. COUPICRL MEIKBERS I o None. Staff Planners Jim merson, Laauwe, and Hitchcock, Director of Development Services Callaway, Development Services Coordinator Ruiz, Assistant Development Services Coordinator George, City Planner Kee, Neighborhood Services Senior Ptamn-er Battle, Neighborhood Services Intern Flanery, Transportation Planner Hard, Assistant City Attorney Ladd, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. PARUKS AHD REVCREAUIUN BOARD Director Steve Beachy, Board YAernbersBill Davis, Glenn MEMBERS AND S71 AFF PRESEWT� Davis, Turtoi-411fichols, Schroeder, and Wood. R. Dimawtolm glmd powhk,%C&Img oTerrKeirl't Toir Tbtuwe nel,RPhaboThood P-nirlk Rogations, Mr. Steve Reachy, Director, Parks and Re-creation, City of College Station opened the ineetftlig on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department and Parks Board Members and introduced Jim Callaway, Director of Development Services. Mr. Beachy explained that today's meeting was an initial step in -attempting to address some of the strategic issues outlined during the June retreat of the City Council. He referred to the handout made available charting out eight vision statements, thirty-two strategies, and seventy-five action plans established by the City Council and has now directed staff to begin the process of implementation. W. Beachy pointed out that many of the issues are related to the sphere of authority of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board as well as members of both staffs. Jim Callaway, Director, Development Services said three concepts were indicated by the City Council during their retreat as priority issues. The first being advanced planning for parks well ahead of the development of an area; the second being park-lat-id criteria; and third, establishing parks as a focal point for an area. He explained that while the code review and revision process is currently underway, any convents with respect to any Parks end Recreation Board or other issues would be appreciated and forwarded to the consultants, P&Z Joint Workshop Minutes July 20, 2000 Page 1 of 5 h4r. John Crompton said unless there is advance planning for a park in an area, the criteria could not be established. He explained that in the past, the park planning came well after the development in an area leaving the city to use whatever pieces of land that is left undeveloped to establish a parkland area. He suggested that the city purchase parkland locations in areas prior to the developers' purchases. Mr. John Nichols said that developers should submit development plans for an area to include parkland areas with regard to schools, traffic, etc. hdr. Crompton stated that five acres is too small for neighborhood parrs. He said with a 15-acre park site the opportunity for more pro -active planning is made possible. ldr. peachy pointed out that Thomas Park is a 16-acre park. ! / r. Glenn Davis said one of the struggles for the parks board when there is a land dedication is that the piece of land typically dedicated as parr land is the least desirable, i.e. drainage ditch, flood plant, etc. He explained that the Parks Board attempts to manage the process by increasing the number of acres, understanding that this has an economic impact on the developer. Mr. peachy said another issue that is ftequently brought up is how the street layouts affect the parks and the accessibility to them. Commissioner Floyd asked the Parks and Recreation Board to chart out the identified obstacles preventing them from doing the things they would like to do in regards to city parks and encouraged the board members to communicate to the Planning and Zoning Commission the way in which they could help to eliminate the obstacles. Commissioner Marren said if the land criteria were accepted that the developers would have an idea of the cost and would have a better idea of what their requirements would be. Mr. bill Davis said the developer has a choice of either dedicating land or money when developing an area. He explained that if the developer chooses to give money instead of land, there is no possibility of a park allocated for the area. John Crompton said he would like the City Council to hire consultants to purchase four 15dacre sites and two 100-acre sites for neighborhood and community parks. He stated that when the developers came to begin building, they would build around the park sites as the focus for the development. . Davis said that knowing where the growth of the city is currently and where it will be in the fxture should give the city the opportunity to purchase and obtain land easily for Nature parkland sites. Commissioner Warren said she believed this strategy would equalize the accessibility to parks across the entire city, whether the neighborhood .consists of large or small lots and regardless of where you live, and it would equalize the shared taxpayer's payments as well. lea°. Beachy said a large subdivision would have a better chance and availability for park sites. P&ZJolnt Morkshop Minutes July 20, 2000 Page 2 of 5 Jim Callaway stated that this would always be a problem if we continue to rely solely on the dedication of land or money as the land develops. Commissioner Warren said the Planning and Zoning Commission should look into different corridors and overlays as a logical extension in trying to determine the areas and land for parks. Jim Callaway said it was possible to do that and knowing the type, location, size, and other factors the Parks Board normally considers when determining if a specific tract of land is suitable for a parkland site, would be helpful. Mr. Beachy reiterated the fact that if the parkland site was obtained prior to the development of the area, the reaction by the developers regarding all the °r, astructure issues directly relates back to the vision statements developed by the City Council. He pointed out the area surrounding Thomas Park as an example of having done that and how the homeowners are consistently upgrading their homes and lots. Jim Callaway said a significant difference in the value, tenure, maintenance, and condition of the homes in and around Thomas Park are evident. I\�4r. Crompton said there is substantial evidence to support the fact that the homeowners in the Thomas Park area, though they are spending money on the upkeep of their home sites, will actually receive a return by way of dedication payments from developers and f om the increase in property values, Commissioner Warren asked Mr. Callaway if the consultants revealed any approaches or policies that would address this concern. Jim Callaway explained that the focus of the consultants currently involves the evaluation of the current city codes and ordinances, but said that additional strategies relating to acquisitions, financial developments, and other development incentives is something the city would have to rely on the consultants for. TVtr. Crompton explained that the land dedication currently extends only to neighborhood parks, but said in other cities, the land dedication included community parks as well. He explained that this consideration should be coming up for renewal in 2002. Mr. Nichols asked how the parkland criteria would be established. He asked if there were benchmark city comparisons or other literature used to determine the criteria. Mr° peachy explained that this was included in the Parks board action plan strategies. Mr. Nichols expressed a concern regarding generational parks and the expansion of the list of passive activities. Mr. Beachy said there was not a list at this time but that the process was underway of determining a list of various activities that could be considered for the local neighborhoods while taking into consideration the age group of the park users in each particular parkland area. P&ZJoint Workshop Minutes July 20, 2000 Page 3 of 5 Glenn Davis wanted to know the P&Z role in the park functions. Jim Callaway explained that the Planning & Zoning Commission rely on the Parks Board when it comes to park issues. He said questions relating to parks and park sightings begins before the development proposals get to the Planning & Zoning Commission by forwarding questions and issues to the Parks Board. Jane Kee said the Planning and Zoning Commission has concerns about Parks Board Issues and a well-defined role in the ordinance regarding parks. Mr. Nichols asked for verification in the process of the Parks Board recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He asked if a developer could take his case to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding any Parks Board issues. Jane Kee said a developer could present a case involving Parks Board issues to the Planning and Zoning Co lion. She also said that the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision on Parks Board issues that are different than the recommendation made by the Parks Board, can be done only with a vote of more than a simple majority. Mr. Bill Davis said he believes an overlay requirement is needed for an area so developers are working towards a goal. For smaller developments, since there is a minimum requirement of only I - acre for park -land dedication, it's difficult to envision the parkland site being developed unless the land is purchased for the park land site prior to the remainder of the development in the area. Commissioner Floyd agreed with Mr. Davis. He pointed out situations where developers have presented plans to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a small portion of a larger tract of land under corru-non ownership and the remaining portions of the tract either never developed or not developed for a long period of time. Mr. Nichols asked if there was an inventory of undeveloped land in the ETJ areas. Mir. Glenn Davis asked if the City Council was willing to allocate money for the Parks Board to purchase land for parkland sites. Mr. Crompton stated that for four 15-acre parks, the estimated cost would be $600,000 and $2,600,000 for two 100-acre parks. He explained that this is not a lot of money considering the values and the way of thinking of our community in regards to greenways, etc. He feels that the City would have full community support in purchasing and setting aside land for parkland sites. Mr. Beachy wanted to know if there was a mechanism in place to buy land options that would allow the landowner to retain use of the land until the city is ready to develop the area designated for parks. Jane Kee explained that the larger tracts present a lesser problem because, whether the tract of land has one or more owners, in either case, the city refers to the master development plan. Mr. Callaway said problems are lesser in new developments as well. He pointed out that Pebble Creek is actually an older development with the appearance of a new one. Mr. Callaway explained P&Z Joint Workshop Minutes July 20, 2000 Page 4 of 5 that the parkland issues were dealt with under a totally different set of regulations in terms of dedication and master planning requirements. Commissioner Warren expressed a concern regarding the review of predevelopment proposals by the Parks Board about the demographics and uses of the neighborhood parks. Nft. Glenn Davis said that the Parks Board does try to look at the area and the possible uses of the park by the people in the area and determines to create a park site that is accessible to all with facilities that would meet the needs. Mr. Nichols also expressed a desire to meet the recreational needs of the area within the park land site. Mr. Crompton expressed a concern regarding the lack of action by the City on the bond issue for the greenways. Jim Callaway acknowledged the concern of Mr. Turton and members of the Parks Board. Mi. peachy reiterated the issues that were mentioned or discussed. Encourage the acquisition of Parkland advance development Study the size of neighborhood parks for possible increase Define obstacles Issue regarding some type of dedication requirements for community parks Study the standards for neighborhood parks for possible upgrade That is the inventory of undeveloped land in the ETJ by size and tracts Jane Kee added that a need to investigate, from a legal standpoint, other points in the development process where the dedication could be gained other than at the final plat stage. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. AP?RCVED-. Chairman, Karl Mooney Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett P&Z Joint Workshop Minutes July 20, 2000 Page 5 of 5 1. Approva8 of Minutes 3. Discussion, Consideration, and PossNe Action Regarding the Wolf pen Creek Oversight Subcommittee Meeting hod on August 29, 2000 4. Discussion, Consideration, and Possible Action Regarding the Riparian Restoration Project WPOOO1 5. Discussion, Consideration, an Possiblefiro- Regarding Future utLrDi `Ctto'- for the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor The building is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call (979) 764-3517 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989. Agendas posted on Internet Website htto://www.ci.coIleae-station.tx.us. and Cable Access Channel 19. 0LF FEE Cum OVER ss"T C0M, Mau -TEE Naam© Aueusl' l " 200 COLLEV:- STAnON CTrT HALL COUNCK CHAMBERS membom po-soznto James Massey, Dennis Maloney ® City Council; Kay Henryson, Design Review Boards Karl Mooney, Judith Warren, Alternate Planning & ZoMingg Sharon Colson, Marsha Sanford, Alternate ® WPC TIF Board; Glenn Schroeder, George Dresser, Alternate e Parks & Recreation Board Phillip Kelby, Alternate — Design Review Board; SUM present- Glenn Brown e City Manager's Office; Steve Beachy, Eric Pbeger, Pete Vanecek, David Wood m Parks & Recreation® Mark smith, Bob Mosley a Public Works; Kelly Cole Communications & Marketing; Jim Callaway, Jane Kee ® Development Services; Charles Cryan G Fiscal Services; Kim Fou e Economic Development; Pamela Springfield, Committee secretary AORO"Pg. bike McClure, Mclure Engineering; Paul Clarke — Clarke & Wyndham, Inc,® Chuck Alison, Attorney at Law Q(M—Couh G fQ�oCI, I. CnR_T4 Order: Janes Massey called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.ni. 20 AppmVal_of_Minutes� George Dresser made a motion to approve the minutes from the Jule 10, 2000 meeting. Kay Henryson seconded the motion, All were in favor and the minutes were unanimously approved. 3. ftprooWFO of HeMfh)eff f c c uamft ffog, AboAncezo James stated that Phillip Kelby had turned in an absence request form and would not be present at the meeting, _.yEa �®� 1.�o:LN��� ft a Dr k, CowT1 orr° James stated that since the last meeting there had been changes to the dynamics of the WPC district. He expWned that the recent approval of the Adams property out on Highway 60 as a hotel/conference center site by the City Council, in Executive Session, was a decision made for the betterment of the City and the opportunities that it would bring. A lot of thought and discussion had taken place about what it would mean to WPC, but it all came down to the fact that here was someone ready to build something that would be a tremendous asset to the City of College Station, Janes said the district without the hotel/conference cuter is going to be different but the opportunities for the district are still there. The TIF monies are still there and McClure Engineering has a good design effort going. He added that dike McClure's drawings didn't even include the conference center. James informed the members that the design charette had been cancelled. The Adams project influenced this decision as did the fact that Tom Woodfin°s graduate assistant, who was to have taken over the running of the charette this fall in Tom's absence (administrative leave), received a better offer and would not be able to participate either. James said he had Emmet with `tom Woodfin, who feels that there are still enough opportunities that the project can be an asset to the City WPC OuersightCommlffiw ^^August, 2�MMinut�es through a public/private environment. Tone Woodfin's summer class project ended up not being related to WPC. Dennis said that the consultants had stated that the environment in the WPC area as it is right now, would not support a full -service hotel. That doesn't mean hotels can't go in ® just not full service hotels, James asked the members for their feedback. Some of the comments were. • The perimeter, as well as the care of the project, needs to be looked at. Firm steps need to be taken right away towards providing a continuous vision for future development. There are opportunities to purchase property that will keep the connection going east of the bypass. o Sorry to see the arts center leave that area. It is good that the hotel/conference center will go somewhere else, since it was never a part of the initial concept for WPC. It's better that the traffic and everything associated with large conferences, will not be in that area. o This is a parks, arts, and commerce district and that's the way it should be marketed© capitalizing on what we have 4 not what we don't have. o There absolutely has to be infrastructure there and it needs to came quickly. A marketable theme is needed for the area, • Everyone felt the design charette should still take place with a different facilitator. • Projects currently in progress will not be delayed. • Interested in the plans of the property owners adjacent to the corridor and how this affects therm and their timetable. o This project is in the same parallel as the Business Park. It took a long time, but at some paint it will just take off. o There will be a restaurant/club going into the olds Rolf Nursery location which had been presented to DRO as being family -oriented, with volleyball courts and athletic facilities. James asked for Paul Clarke's feedback. • He greatly appreciated and thanked the group for volunteering their time and doing what they'd been challenged to do to o further the corridor. o Moving the hotel/conference center to a location where it wouldn't be supported by retail and within walking distance of restaurants is not a good idea. o Credit should be given to the private sector 4 those who've held property and paid taxes in that corridor for many years trying to further this vision. Everything that has occurred out there has depreciated property values. o (concern about what the vision is and how the project will look due to FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers' (The Corp) involvement. killing all the trees and creating a wetland environment won't create a draw. He challenged McClure Engineering, the City engineers, and the Parks Department to look at another NWP (National Wetland Permit) while the project was in the conceptual phase that would provide incentive for businesses to locate facing the creek. Create cluster developments. Mike McClure addressed some of Paul Clarke's concerns: WPC Oilmight Commifee —August 2000 AfIlUe ' Page 3 preserve some of the tree specimens that are there. Vertical retaining walls can be used in some areas to save vegetation but it can®t be uniform throughout the project. That is why there is no permit now, because the project is still in the conceptual stage as far as the Corp is concerned. All that has been done for the downstream area so far, are the boundary surveys and the floodway information, which is being put on the recent revision that Paul Clarke°s engineer, had put together. A meeting will be held once that is completed, to discuss which tracts have been impacted and if there are any discrepancies. Paul Clarke stated that he has problems with the fact that metes and bounds descriptions are written based on aerial photography. They have been proven wrong in the past, holding up projects. Kona's Steakhouse and Johnny Carino°s were shown originally as floodway and would never have gone in if the City°s model had not been disproved, Now they are on the same track again. Paul stated that Mike°s group is spending a lot of time and energy working on something inaccurate, which will be disputed, James said from what he was hearing everyone wanted to go forward with the charette. James stated that if the charette waits until Tom Woodfin can do it in spring, 2001, this will put the project back another year, He asked Kay Henryson to look at options for another facilitator to help with the charette in a timely manner. James stated that there was money available and asked everyone to think of projects that could be done as soon as possible. James said there were a lot of technical aspects he knew nothing about and suggested forming an action subcommittee to work on the public/private relationship. The intent of the subcommittee would be to and out what the private sector wants so that a happy medium can be reached and ground can be broken as soon as possible. He said he'd like to do this right away so that a report can be brought back to the September meeting. George asked that the committee be kept advised of the actions of the subcommittee° James said the subcommittee will not act independently of the committee but will come back with recommendations° .games Massey, Paul Clarke, bike McClure, Marsha Sanford, lane lee, bark Smith, Gnarl Mooney agreed to be on the subcommittee. James invited anyone who would like to attend the meeting to do so. 5. Ad a r 4 The meeting adjourned at 1.29 p.m. College c5lalfon �lis1oric 9reservalion Commrllee %gular 91eefing CNednesdary, c5eplember 6, 2000 5: 15 p nz College cslahon Conference Center Y300 C"eorge Ba5b'Drive, 9oom Y0Y 1. Call to Order 2. Consideration of Member Requests for Absences 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Hear Visitors 5. City Historic Home/Building/Subject Plaques - Presentation, Discussion, and Possible Action on Submitted Applications 6. Neighborhood Recognition Program - Discussion and Possible Action 7. Update on Brazos Heritage Society's Historic Film and Book Project - Discussion, Consideration, and Possible Action 8. Election of a New Chairperson & Co -Chair - Discussion, Consideration, and Possible Action 9. Brison Park Bonfire Memorial - Discussion, Consideration, and Possible Action 4 Update on Status of Narrative for Bonfire Memorial Plaque - Shawn Carlson 10. Southside Lighting Project - Discussion, Consideration, and Possible Action 11. Agenda Items for Future Meetings 12. Adjourn The building is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call (979) 764-3517 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989. Agendas posted on Internet Website htto://www.ci.colleae-station.tx.us and Cable Access Channel 19. 0WA310 Sic vn3e el8on comet" Wee College c5talon CofervnC2 Center Y300 9gorve r &h rive od)ednejday 97Yvud 2, 2000 -- 5: -15 p MEMBERS PRESENT. o Deborah Jlasek, Chair; Bill Lancaster; Margaret Griffith; Thomas Taylor; Myron Gantt; Robert McGee; Marsha Sanford; Monte `I'ronckmann PIERI ERS ABSENT- Shawn Carlson; Graham Sheffy STAFF PRESENT-. David Gorling, Special Facilities Superintendent; Pamela Springfield, Committee Secretary W93FORS PRESENT. Steve Beachy, [director, College Station Parks & Recreation; Mike Luther I . C aU to Difd r: The meeting was called to order at 5:17 p.m. by Deborah Jasek. ConaWavaadan 8 A'Wrrodag off e b rr Real soft-ff©6, A ashmpaso Deborah stated that Graham Sheffy and Shawn Carlson had notified the committee in advance that they would be absent. 3. QFo�{ eroe�a9 aff G� a��a� o Chili Lancaster made a motion to approve the July 12, 2000 minutes as written. Myron Gantt seconded. Tearing no objection, the motion passed unanimously. 4. Heor VI-4.rtoeo: Steve Beachy was on the agenda. Mike Luther had nothing to present. 5, Veterans Park and Athieft Campow-K ffpAC� and ftcuaWam Steve Beachy gave the HPC an overview,, of the project, explaining that, it had been in the works for about 3-4 years. The 1996 election approved $1.6 mullion for the purchase of land for a large athletic complex. The site that vial chosen was located between Highway 60 and Highway 30 Gist east of the bypass) and was formerly owned by the ['pert Wheeler estate. The purchase was completed in 1998 and money to do the initial development was approved in a bond election that same year. The master plan was done and an engineering firm has been hired to do the design work for the first phase. Steve stated that one of the duties of the VPAC committee was to come up with a name for the park. John Nichols, a Parrs hoard member on the committee, came up with the idea of calling it Veteran's Park as a wady of honoring and recognizing the veterans of the community. The name evolved into Veterans Farb and Athletic Complex, was approved by the Parks Board as the official name, and ultimately approved by the City Council, On Veteran's Day 1999 the parr site was officially dedicated with a ceremony. a. Brazos ValleY _Veterans [Weinodal: Steve explained that in 1998, veteran Dr. Craig Carter had suggested some typo of memorial for the veterans in the community in a letter he had written to the editor of The lag§@, Dr. Carter was contacted and discussions began with representatives from various groups. Veterans of Foreign Wars, rational Sojourners, the Historic Preservation Commfttee Minutes, August 2000 Page 2 American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans all became involved. All of the groups thought that the memorial was a good idea and that the VPAG site was appropriate. The idea evolved into a formal organization that has developed by-laws, appointed officers, applied for non-profit status, and developed committees in order to im&ment a veterans memorial at this park site in approximately two years. The funding level has been set at $500,000 for the memorial, which will include some type of representative art work. The memorial will be all- inclusive and not represent a particular branch of the service or a ;particular war. It will include all veterans of Brazos and surrounding counties — past, present, and future. The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley is coordinating the nationwide search for an artist to develop a design for the memorial. The Arts Council will have representatives who will narrow down the candidates and select the most appropriate. The call for artists went out in July and the deadline for entries is October 16, 2000. Steve handed out copies of the logo for the memorial that will be used on letterhead, promotional materials, etc. Steve stated that all the VPAC ffacilities would, in some wady, be related to the veteran theme. The idea behind this is so that people visiting this park will have an experience that will help them to Getter understand what it means to be a veteran and the sacrifices that have been made. He said there is a strong veteran presence in Brazos and surrounding counties. Steve stated that the committee fundraising chair, Lynn Stewart, a retired General with the Army Reserve had approached the cities of Bryan and College Station as uvell as the County for a portion of the money to do the memorial. $50,000 over a period of two years has been asked for from each group. The remaining money wW he raised through the private sector and through corporate donations. Steve asked the HPC to consider endorsing this memorial, and sending a letter to the Mayor and City Council in support of the City's contribution. b. ArchaeoloogoaB Study fi Y'q o Steve distributed the 9nW§m Rapon mo 9he Cudgurrag Qe'sourrces SuFvsy and A&o9seomang 0 boWeano Para Z ad A0h9aft Compgox. He explained that the Cite had contracted vnlh Dr. Alston Thorns of A M's Center for Ecological Archaeology, to do this study as well as one at Lick Creek Park. The report for (Lick Greek Park will be presented once it has been completed. Dr. Thorns and his team went through the site and determined that much of it had been disturbed. it seems that when the bypass was built, the site was scraped and the dirt used to fill the lake that was once on the property. The team tested in various areas and they thought there might be a couple of significant sites, so additional work %j,�as authorized. After the work was completed, however, the recommendation they sent to the Texas Historical Commission reported that nothing of cultural significance had been found. lff significant evidence had been found, the master plan Would have had to be altered. There is definite evidence of habitation of the site up until about 10,000 years ago, so there is the potential to do historic interpretation at the site as part of the trail system. Steve stated that there is a definite tie-in with VPAC and the HPC and its' goals in two areas. The first being the heritage of the veterans and second being the cultural significance of the Native Americans that once lived in this area. It is known that there are historic and prehistoric cultural sites at Lick Creek Park, and when that study is complete a report will be received, Steve suggested having a point meeting betrween the Parks & Recreation Board and the HPC once that report is done. Dr. Thomas Mould also attend so that he could explain his report and findings and perhaps make suggestions on what could be done there. Monte Trenckmann asked if the green area next to Furrow's was part of the parka Steve said it was not. He explained that the western -most boundary of this property is a 404 Conservation Easement, which means that you can't do anything with that ;property because it is a wetlands- Historic Preservation Corrinifttee Minutes, August 2000 Page 3 type area. He said there are some very aloe wooded areas In that section containing probably one of the largest and oldest water oak trees In the area (approximately 196" in circumference). Margaret Griffith made a motion that a letter be prepared, signed, and gotten to City Council as quickly as possible In support of the City's contribution of $50,000 towards this project. Marsha Sanford seconded. All were in favor and motion passed unanimously. 6. CRY la torlc Homeftollc o /Subc -EkEpea vVesen stbn 009cusa5an, and . PaozUs cUaan an Submitted AF B at`onao No new applications had been submitted for approval. 7. Neighborhood Recognition PMram. This Item was tabled until the next meeting. 8. Brazos HeritaepLacRW D .Rstowk halm and Book Prrolisct - OWc una a Rq9 Oossibie-Action., Deborah stated that the boob portion of the Brazos Heritage Society's (BHS) project will probably not be a duplication of the HPC's oral history boob but more on the order of a community scrapbook. She said there would probably be as much graphics as text in the book. David stated that he'd learned that they were considering breaking the two-hour film Into smaller segments. Yids would make It easier to incorporate as a teaching tool In the classroom. Margaret thought that Brazos Heritage Society should wait until the book was out to finalize the video. There was concern over the fact that no contract had been discussed. Deborah stated that the H C's concerns were the some concerns that Bryan has abort the BHS project. Deborah said she felt she should go tally to the City Council rather than having the HPC send a letter. She said she would let Council know the consensus of the HPC: a. In theory the project is a good ideas however, there aren't enough details on bow the project is going to be done. b. There are concerns over the content. Is College Station going to be fairly represented? c. What happens if the project starts running out of money? d. There are concerns over the possibility of duplication with the HPC book being written, as wall as duplication of the Chamber'ss current promotional video. Deborah said she would lot Council know that until more information l's received, the HPC cannot give a recommendation either way. She will find out if Council wants to make the decision or if they want the HPC to got more information from the Brazos Heritage Society. Everyone agreed this was best. Deborah asked ©avid to put her on the agenda for the Council agenda for August 24, 2000 if it isn't full. 9. can en Rome ffov E LYAlum V asgOfl a� - a. Election of a new chairperson for the committee o Shawn Carlson has said she doesn't want the position b. Neighborhood Recognition Program c. Brazos Heritage Society project update d. Brlson Park Bonfire Memorial e. Southslde Lighting Project ff. Shawn Carlson's report on the narrative for the Bonfire Memorial Plaque 10. Adjourn. [Ill made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6: 1 5 p.m. Monte seconded. All were In favor and the motion passed. August 10, 2000 Dear Mayor and City Council Members, As members of the Historic Preservation Committee, we feel that the recognition and documentation of the role of College Station and Brazos Valley veterans is a very worthy endeavor. Veterans have always played an important role throughout the history of College Station. The roots of College Station, with the then -military college known as Texas A&M, ensured the role of the military and veterans in the city's own history. This role continues today in the form of the 8,000 plus veterans who call Brazos County home. At a time when many of our veterans are dying in large numbers, it is essential that their story and deeds be documented for posterity so that generations of future residents know of their courage and sacrifice. We want to thank the City Council and Parks Board for honoring veterans through naming the new athletic park the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. We also want to publicly voice our support for the construction of a Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial. This type of memorial will not only honor the veterans who served their country; it will also serve as a tool for educating future generations of their service. We respectfully request that the City Council support this endeavor as well. Funds spent to document and honor our local veterans and heroes will be money very well spent. Sincerely, College Station Historic Preservation Committee Deborah Jasek, Chair Bill Lancaster Monte Tre crf kmann Mar aplanford * P.O. Cjox 996o + Coffege station, 5exas 77842-996o •.® (409) 764-3773 *s Marg et Griffith V Shawn Carlson R bert McGee Thomas Taylor Myron Gant Grah m Sheffy �y Senior Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Monday, August 28, 2000 Minutes Members Present: Phyllis Dozier, Wendell Horne, Betty Home, Bill Lay, Mary to Lay, Bill Kling, Florace Kling, Bill Lancaster, Mary Lancaster, Annie Lee Finch, Joanna Yeager, Vallie Broussard and Carol Parzen Members Absent: James Boone and Helen Siegel Staff Present: Marci Rodgers I< Welcome: Bill Lay called the meeting to order at 10:05am II. Approval of July 24, 2000 minutes: The minutes were approved as circulated. 111. Guest Speaker: Wiley Lecture Series Rani Hauth, Chair, explained that the Memorial Student Center houses approximately 30 student organizations including the Wiley Lecture Series. The focus of the lecture series is foreign policy and global events. Several events are free and Rani encouraged the committee to attend. The first lecture this semester will be held on October 18'h and the program is International Terrorism starting at 7:00pm. This is free and will be held in room 9206 at the MSC. Matt Trembles spoke on a new program that includes working with the Bush Foundation. He is seeking ways to promote the events, which are sometimes hosted by the past President. Matt stated that they have had low attendance in the past from students and community due, in part, from not knowing the guest until a few days before the program date. The committee offered suggestions such as advertising in the Golden Eagle and if dates could be listed with senior organizations such as with the College Station Senior Services Coordinator and with retirement communities. The Wiley Lecture Series operates with the help of an endowment through the Wiley Family and also raises funds. The committee was given a copy of the Annual Review which includes budget and committee structure. The following dates were given for this year's schedule: October 18, November 15, some time in February and April 6. IV. Sub -Committee appointments for award/recognition of "senior friendly" businesses: Bill asked for volunteers interested in serving on this committee to develop guidelines and name for the award. Carol Parzen, Helen Siegel, Vallie Broussard and Wendell Home agreed to serve and Helen will be asked if she would like to chair the committee. They will give a report at the next meeting. V. Name for Senior Center Meeting Room: The committee was asked to name the meeting room to give identification to the senior programs being held at the Parks and Recreation Annex. The following names were suggested: Crossroads COMA - Center of Mature Adults KOKO ® Deep On Keeping On R&R e Rest and Relaxation seniorsoorg Senior U. com Senior U The committee will vote at the September meeting. VI. Volunteer Job Fair 2000: Marci explained that the City of College Station, RSVP and Brazos Valley Volunteer Management and Mike Mullen, Volunteer Coordinator for the City will be hosting this event on September 14Ih at the College Station Conference Center. The fair will offer information on volunteer job opportunities with local organizations. The fair is free to all and will run from 9.00 am — 1:00pm. VII. Fall Classes offered for Seniors: Marci referred to the new -Xtra ]Education brochure, which is now available and lists all the fall classes for seniors. VIII. Senior Services Coordinator Report: report on file The committee expressed an interest in a Citizens Police Academy designed for seniors. Phyllis Dozier said that she would be interested in a single program presented by the College Station Police Department to seniors. IX. Next meeting: Monday, September 25, 2000 X. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 10:50am KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON TEXAS E 0111R, �5' WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4304 August 29, 2000 Mr. Chris Barzilla Chairman College Station Parks & Recreation Board P.O. Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842-7960 Dear Mr. Barzilia: COMMITTEES: APPROPRIATIONS COMMERCE, SCIENCE, ANDTIRANSPORTATION RULES AND ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLICWORKS Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 25, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999. 1 am glad to hear from you on this issue. As you know, this bill provides funding to meet the outdoor conservation and recreation needs of the American people. Protection of our environment and natural resources is deservedly a national priority. I support the concept of the bill, and am working with the sponsors to ensure it gives the states sufficient authority in the conservation process and protects the constitutional rights of private property owners. We all share responsibility for protecting our world's natural resources and wildlife so that future generations may enjoy them as we have. I am confident we can develop legislation that meets this goal in a responsible way. Thank you for your commitment to environmental conservation. I appreciated hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other issue of concern. KBH\mag L000646311 /11 o '9P 101 Hutchi § Web=http://hutchison.senate.gov Kids Klub Enrollment Update r. September , 2000 Current Enrollment College Hills South Droll Southwood Valley Rock Prairie Pebble Creek Cypress Grove Oakwood TOW E roftnen Reduced Enroflment Free Meal Students 37 Reduced Meal 40 To W Reduced 77 (12% of Kids Mub enro%ent) Attached are the CSIS® (district wide) Child Nutrition Free and Reduced Student Percentages, COLLEGE SIPPAMOT-4 1, EPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Chiid Nutfilion Free and Reduced Progr= Stneko-HRE permwagge 1, 2000 FT= �Wumlld 'TOW lftalw Frera a Reduced li,4eW 1wcz6 1,17 -me &. Rodused &&Cog pameafte of HIGIFT SCHCOL 9-12 262 85 34.7 2161, 16.04% COLLEGE TAUT ON MIDDLE 7-8 79 37 116 590 q 9.60/0 A&M IVHDDLI-P 7-2 27 104 613 0 6,.97*/o CYPRESS GROVE 5-6 lt la 4D 151 logs �318% Q%KWOOD 3-62 Dis 39 OR 5 D 7 30.56% SOUTIR KNOUL pm.K1-4 IN. 150, 252 5914 43.07% COLLE-GE HILLS FTc K-4 1169 44-1 215 605 35.54%, SOUTHWOOD VALLEY pm ill-4 169 39 7-00 $06 39'.53% ROCK PRAIRIE Pre K4 165 29 R94 60, 9 3135% PEBBLE CREEK Prep K-4 124 18; 1142 594L 23.91% TIMBER ACADEMY 5-12 16 0 16 49.48% TOTAL 1499 413 1901 79D9 24.01% From- "JOHN CROMPTON" <jcrompto@rpts.tamu.edu> To- "Kris Startzman" <KSTARTZMAN@ci.college-station.tx.us> Date: 9/7/00 4:59PM Subject: Re: Parks and Recreation Board Thanks Kris, please fill out an excuse form for me, I am out of town. John Crompton Distinguished Professor Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Texas ARM University COLLEGE STAnOW WDEMIDEW.. OOL DISTRICT r,cmd mutlitiou F= and Rtd=dProgram CD w Q9 <I IL _c5d TOW Sd"f Pawo*p Of jSchool SnxW5 sm-imis ➢na R i FUGH SC800L SLmQ 20 185 2165 16.03% COILEGE STA GN MODLE 7-9 79 37 016 530 1949% N IV i Co A D� f� -9 04 40 27� Q Q '� 575 26,26% 0 GAKVMD HP 19 14 <I SOM KMOLL 199 60 2% 600 i COLLWE PALS l�m K4 169 46 20 6fa 35_66% VALLEY ft X-4 169 1Q 2w 313 as 191PA Rom PmAm Pm X�4 l6s 29 196 615 3 LAII/o P Q1➢�YP� CREEK P P14 12A P� d4� 95 2�XIA co r-- �� 'n MBERAC 33 TOTAL Q 40 oft 7291 U070/a r— m uo r�- m m 04 r-� m m file:///Pl/GROUP/AGEN-CAL/Council a... Loop Phase II/coversheet 00-85 Agenda Item :.Covers eet X (Consent Htem iWorkshop Item item Subm ted Boyd 1CouncH MeeUng natetl ir��ctc•� ,�g•��•?rove is (Cey Manager approval: Agenda Item # 12.3 Brett McCully, Asst. City Engineer Cheryl K. Turney, Purchasing Manager (August 10, 2000 Mark Smith, Director of Public Works Charles Cryan, Director of Fiscal Services ( Rem., Bid No. 00-85 a Discussion and possible action on a resolution approving a construction contract for the Bike Loop Phase II Project. Recommend award to the lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications, Jerdon (Enterprise, Inc. in the amount of $704,911.30 for the alternate bide ]Funds are available and budgeted in Capital Improvements, Bike (Loop Project. Item Summary: This resolution is for the second phase of the (College Station Bike Loop and includes off street paths within ILemontree, Bee Creek and Central Parks. The project also includes construction of a raised median where the two parks meet at Southwest Parkway, which will act as a crossing refuge for all users of the proposed path. Construction documents were prepared by Klotz Associates and approved in accordance with the Bike loop Development Agreement with TXDOT. Also in conformance with this agreement, this award must be conditioned upon TxDOT°s review and approval of the bid received. The base bid included paths constructed of new portlannd cement concrete as is commonly used in street and sidewalk construction. In response to a request from the Texas Transportation Institute (fit TI), and in support of Community recycling promotion, an alternate was added to construct two test sections within ILemontree park where recycled materials would be included in the bike path construction. One section would be constructed with concrete that included fly ash (a by-product from coal combustion) as a substitute for some of the cement normally used. The other section will be constructed with an asphalt paving mix that includes post consumer rubber particles. It is the intent that these sections be constructed so they could be evaluated in pedestrian and bicycle environment. These products have been used within Brazos 'Malley by TxDOT and local contractors, but not normally used by either Bryan or College Station. Staff recommends awarding the contract based on the alternate bid due to the lower cost and in support of recycling research and awareness. Phase III of the bike loop is pending due to permitting of the Bee Creek Channelization Project which will create the pathway adjacent to the creek for the final connection. Budgetary and Financial Summary: Sealed competitive bids were solicited from twenty-four (24) I of 8/1110011A file:///Pl/GROUP/AGEN-CAL/CounciI a... Loop Phase 11/coversheet 00-85 firms. Three bids were received and opened on June 29, 2000. Summary results follow: Texcon Young Contractors lerdon Enterprises Base Bid $789,763.00 $720,879.40 $739,578.05 Alternate Bid $795,696.00 $707,242.75 $704,911.30 Funds are available and budgeted in Capital Improvements, Bike Loop Project (ST9409). This project is 80% funded by a Federal Grant administered by TxDOT, so up to $563,929 will be reimbursed by TxDOT. The original budget for all phases was $1,348,000. The City's portion (20%) equals $269,600. q-Telff AKW.1 .1X Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends award to the lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications, lerdon Enterprise, Inc. in the amount of $704,911.30 in acceptance of the bid alternate. 1. Approve staff recommendation I 97-TT-Z ulp� �$ I i 3. Reject bids and redirect staff 1. Tabulation. Bid No. 00-85 2. Contract Resolution 3. Vicinity Map 2 of 2 8/11/00 11:4 u SO�w�. P�sr U����/�CD O,Q UACOIN e ZFRANCIS 1 41 p e / O/(0• DbAAP � cD HARV£Y RD. y H L SOUn-fW,-ST PKWY. I I t w KRENEK TAP 7 2B/g VALLEYVP MILERS LN. I � -r I u ill,I i P. O. Box 9960 o 1101 Texas Avenue a College Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 ® Expand program base ® Increase overall number of visitors ® Increase feeling of teen ownership ® Expand staff training ® Continue to research similar programs around the state and nation ® Survey parents and participants ® Expand the role of Youth Services ula"Tu"M Although Exit participation has exceeded initial expectations, a year's experience has taught us a great deal about what specifically College Station teens are interested in. Time has also revealed areas for improvement. Each of the above goals are interrelated in that they each effect the other. This overlap is reflected below in the action plan for achieving these goals. Field Trips This past summer we began taking participants on field trips. This was very popular so we are going to continue this activity through the fall. We'll let the kids decide for the most part where we go. Past trips include rock climbing, camping, swimming, paintball, fishing, water parks, Imax, and play performances. We call ahead to trip destinations and arrange a discounted fee then each participant is responsible for payment. None of the additional costs are paid by the City. Drama Plays have long been a popular activity. We have recently expanded by adding a dedicated improv troupe. Next we would like to do an acting workshop as well as adding kids to aspects backstage such as fighting, set design, costumes, make up and directing. We are working toward offering opportunities for student -directed plays. SDecial Events Dances continue to be our biggest draw on the weekends, in an effort to broaden the variety of events we will have some theme dances (hawaiian, hippy, costume, etc...). We recently brought in Neo Swing (TAMU swing dance group) to perform and give lessons. In the future we will have the Aggie Wranglers do the same. Other planned activities are Karaoke, live bands, play and improv performances from our productions as well as external. Increase number of visitors ® Expand moaram base (above) ® Expand marketing Home of Texas A&M University 1. Keep parents better informed ® Mailouts ® PSAs ® Channei 19 ® Utility bill insert ® Radio and TV show spots 2. Keep participants better informed ® Same as above ® Fliers ® Announcements ® Word of mouth 3. Begin advertising in private schools ® Fliers ® announcements 4. Target specific interest groups ® Drama ® Computer ® Sports ® Lincoln center ® Church youth groups ® Extreme sports ® Private and home school 5. Increase teen ownership (see below) ® Increase access 1. Beginning this semester we have dropped the price of a membership to $10 per year at Parks Board Fee Committee direction and to be in line with Lincoln Center membership fee. 2. Honor Lincoln Center membership at the Exit. 3. Promote the use of Parks Bucks. 4. We have also started providing transportation after school from AMC High School and AMC Middle School, Increase feeling of teen ®wnershlo ® Wall murals In response to participant requests we are seeking proposals and design ideas for wall murals to decorate the interior of the Exit and make it less like a school building. ® Kid V the week Every week at the staff meeting we decide which participant has been the "best" that week. That individual gets to decorate a ceiling tile as they see fit and we put it up in the meeting room. ® Junior staff Every Friday night we have participants who have completed "DJ school" take turns being the DJ for the dance. Also, throughout the night several rotate through and help run the front door. These are both excellent opportunities for one on one interaction between staff and participants. • Inlist participants for staff training We will try to work out a way for some of the participants to help train us. The most obvious way would be to solicit their advice about what they like most and least about our policies and procedures. We will also look into other ways, perhaps some role play scenarios. • Suaaestion box We have always listened to ideas and feedback from participants, but maybe a more formalized means would be helpful. Increase staff training Beginning this fall we have expanded staff training to include specific classes taught by experts in the following areas; conflict resolution, mediation, de-escalation, recognizing signs of physical and sexual abuse, suicide intervention techniques, with emphasis on fostering positive relationships, mentoring, and positive re -enforcement. We have been working toward more consistency in rule enforcement both between participants and between staff members. Better communication between staff, log sheets to improve sharing of information day to day, weekly staff meetings, and overlapping weekend shifts have all been working together to improve in this area. Continue research of similar facilities We are currently contacting all Texas Parks Departments through TRAPS membership to locate as many teen programs as possible. Both dedicated teen centers and community centers offering teen programs are being researched. We have also contacted 47 other departments around the Southwest that participated in a previous survey. Questions being asked include interesting programs they offer, successes/failures they have had, staff training, use of volunteers, staff roles as mentors, policies and procedures, separation of middle and high school, and participant rules. (attachment) We have also attached a case study conducted by a Texas A&M student as a class project. This is our first external evaluation and brought out many good points. All recommendations have either been implemented or incorporated into these goals. We are also finalizing a survey to be sent to all Exit members and parents and as many visitors as possible. We are seeking input on the programs, entertainment, equipment, staff, and rules. We also leave plenty of room for comments as well as ask open-ended questions such as "what do you like most and least about the Exit". We are also seeking input on the possibility of ending the current separation of middle and high school age participants. (attachment) • We will continue to work with and seek ways to expand our cooperation with the following organizations CSISD, Teen Court, Transformational Youth Leadership Seminar, Lincoln Recreation Center. P. O. Box 9960 • 1101 Texas Avenue Coiiege Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 September 5, 2000 Dear Recreation Professional, My name is Angela Long, I am an intern for the College Station Parks and Recreation Department Youth Services. I am researching several aspects of Teen Centers and Teen Programs to apply here at the College Station Teen Center (The Exit). We have been operating for 1 year and are trying to fine-tune our program. I need your input regarding participant rules and regulations and would appreciate a copy of your center's rules. Thank you in advance for a few minutes of your time. If there is anything we can do to help you, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, if you have time we would like to obtain information on the following: • Staff Policies • Interesting Program Ideas, and • Problems/Successes you have faced We are collecting this information to improve our Teen Center and make the adjustments necessary. Your responses are appreciated and we are grateful for your time. Shannon Waddell is my advisor and can be reached at (979) 764-3441. Your responses can be sent by e-mail to (an0efelder(&hotmail.com) or you may return them in the enclosed SASE. Thanks again for sharing your information! Angela Long Home of Texas A&M University C�Li7���CiT�.����ci7�l R O. Box 9960 - 1101 Texas Avenue e College Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 TEEN SURVEY To help us serve you better, please rate the following areas of our program. 1. How do you rate your satisfaction with the service provided by the Exit Teen Center staff? Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied Friendliness ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Professionalism ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Attitude ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Interaction ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Dependability ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Supervision ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments: 2. Are the materials and equipment enough for your needs? Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied Pool Tables ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Foosball Tables ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Home of Texas A&M University Computers ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Internet ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Tutoring ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Music ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Sport Facilities ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Games ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Television ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Play Station ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments. 3. How do you rate your satisfaction with the entertainment we provide? Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied Field Trips ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Live Bands ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Karaoke ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Plays ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Improv ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Aggie Swing Cats ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Dances ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments: 4. In your opinion are the rules and regulations at the Exit Teen Center? Too lenient Lenient Fine As Is Strict Too Strict Comments: 5. When you visit the Exit Teen Center do you feel safe? YES NO Comments: 6. What do like least about the Exit Teen Center? 7. What do you like most about the Exit Teen Center? COLLEGE STATION P. O. Box 9960 - 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY To help us serve you better, please rate the following areas of this program. 1. How do you rate your satisfaction with the service provided by the Exit Teen Center staff? Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied Friendliness ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Professionalism ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Attitude ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Interaction ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Dependability ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Supervision ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments. 2. Are the materials and equipment enough for your child's needs? Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied Pool Tables ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Foosball Tables ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Computers ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Home of Texas A&M University Internet ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Tutoring ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Music ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Sport Facilities ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Games ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Television ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Play Station ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comments: 3. How do you rate your satisfaction with the entertainment we provide? Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied Field Trips ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Live Bands ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Karaoke ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Plays ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Improv ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Aggie Swing Cats ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Dances ❑ ❑ Overall ❑ ❑ Comments: 4. We have included a copy of the Exit Teen Center rules and regulations, please read and circle the answer you feel best describes our rules in your opinion? Too lenient Lenient Fine As is Strict Too Strict Comments: 5. Do you feel the Exit Teen Center is a safe place to leave your child? 6. What do you like least about the Exit Teen Center? 7. What do you like most about the Exit Teen Center? EX/7 TEEN CENTER RULES AND REGUL A TIONS ® No one over 19 admitted without teen supervision. No foul language or behavior. o No alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. o No weapons of any kind. o No personal music. o No food or drinks in computer lab. 0 No food or drinks on pool tables. a No sitting on pool tables. o No horseplay. ID No public di5p0ays of affffectiono o All Wisitors must sign in. b Participants rn,-My leave at any time, but unay not geturn again that day. o No one will be allowed internet access without a signed access form from parent. o Any inappropriate activity on the Wernet (weWtes off chatrooms) wifl not be tolerated. o All EX/requipment (bads, poM a(EQessades, games, & software) will he checked out to participants. Some Wm of collateral must be exchanged, and the borrower will be held responsibie tow its safe return. o All electronic equipment will be operated by Staff only. o Only staff is allowed in the W booth. Disrespect for other participants, staff or Wrproperty MH not be tolerated. The Mris not responsible for personal property brought into the facility. E/Tparticipants will abide by the rules, Staff will enforce these rules. ® No exceptions to these rules will be made. Signed: ate- Peter A. Witt Elda K. Bradberry Chair of Recreation and Youth Development Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Texas A&M University =J Emily Towers Graduate Student Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Texas A&M University Submitted to College Station Parks and Recreation Department July, 2000 Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 1 Descriptionof Setting .. ................................................. .............................................. I............ 4 Definitionof Terms.................................................................................................................. 5 StudyMethods............................................................................................................................... 5 MethodologyOverview........................................................................................................... 5 Methods Applicable to Research Question 1..................................................................... 6 Methods Applicable to Research Question 2..................................................................... 6 Methods Applicable to Research Question 3..................................................................... 8 SampleSize.............................................................................................................................. 8 Logistics................................................................................................................................... 9 EthicalConsiderations............................................................................................................. 9 DataAnalysis......................................................................................................................... 10 Results.......................................................................................................................................... 11 History and Goals of the Center/Current Perceptions of the Center ...................................... 11 Impactof Center on Youth..................................................................................................... 13 StaffImpacts.......................................................................................................................... 13 PlaceImpacts......................................................................................................................... 16 RelationalImpacts.................................................................................................................. 17 Role of the Teen Advisory Board.......................................................................................... 18 Recommendations........................................................................................................................ 20 YouthRecommendations....................................................................................................... 20 Researcher Recommendations............................................................................................... 22 ConductStaff Training.................................................................................................... 23 Enlist Participant Help in Staff Training......................................................................... 24 Setup Consistent Disciplinary Procedures....................................................................... 24 Create Opportunities for Youth to Have Jobs, Responsibilities Within the Center ......... 26 Changethe Center Rules.................................................................................................. 26 Conclusions.................................................................................................................................. 21 References.................................................................................................................................... 29 i The Exit Page 1 Introduction In his book, the Great Good Place, (1989) Ray Oldenburg attributes many of society's problems to the lack of a "third place" besides home and work, where people can relax and enjoy a simple, unassuming social life. This creates problems for adults, and even more so for teenagers, who feel they have no choice of their home or school settings. Oldenburg (1989) defines a third place based on concepts of neutrality, conversation, accessibility, and familiarity. Third places are not usually someone's home, freeing all involved from the tedious burden of hosting. Third places are typically close to the individual's homes, known more for the excellent conversation than cheap drink prices, and a place one can go often enough that each time he enters; at least one other person will know him. Many establishments for youth can and do meet these criteria. Oldenburg argues, however, that specific places for youth are predisposed toward failure, as youth will always want to be where the adults and "action" are, and will shun any place designed specifically for them. Despite this criticism, attempts to create a third place for teens have multiplied across the country. Based on community surveys or advocacy by teens, recreation and park departments and other youth serving organizations have developed an array of "hang-outs" (teen centers), from full -service "home away from home" facilities to places offering simple weekend activities (Witt, Towers & Fox, 2000). As the interest in developing teen centers increases, more municipal governments, youth serving organizations, and communities want more solid justification for funding such places. Previous studies show that youth centers can provide a safe haven for youth (Witt & Towers, 1999), that delinquent activity in the surrounding community often decreases during the hours of The Exit Page 2 center operation (Witt & Crompton, 1996), and that centers provide excellent places for youth to find positive role models and develop social and leadership skills (Baker & Hultsman, 2000; Carruthers & Busser, 2000). However, many other questions concerning teen centers remain unanswered. For example, * What are the actual outcomes of teen center development, when recreation planner ideas, teen expectations, and limited funds and resources are combined? * Why do some centers, despite broadly shaped by teen input, fail to attract significant portions of the youth community? * Does the use of teen leadership in centers ensure that centers provide what teens want/need? While researchers and practitioners have an intuitive sense that teen centers are beneficial, they do not know exactly how, why, or even if positive outcomes occur (Henderson & King, 1999). Thus, more case studies of actual centers are needed to provide guidelines for those seeking to plan new centers or improve extant facilities. With the need for further information in mind, the current study sought to develop a case study of the design, programs, and impacts of a specific center, The Exit, in College Station, Texas. While teens, staff, and local community members were used as the units of analysis (Babbie, 1998), the main focus of the research was on the Exit itself.' Stake (1998) emphasizes that case studies look at both commonalities of the case to similar cases, and particular details that pertain uniquely to the case under study. Further, he explains 'The study was initiated by the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences as part of an ongoing effort to study the development of teen centers. Staff at College Station Parks and Recreation did not request the study, but gave full cooperation in providing access to the The Exit, center participants and staff, and teen center records. The Exit Page 3 that the case's uniqueness should be considered on six different levels: the nature of the case; its historical background; the physical setting; other contexts; other cases; and informants for the particular case. This study will address all of these levels. Thus, the study was designed to explore how and why the Exit was created, what impact The Exit has on participants, why some teens choose not to participate at the center, and how teen leadership impacts the center. By better understanding the teen and community dynamics at the Exit, this study can make specific recommendations for program improvement. The issues of youth involvement and teen leadership impact the Exit significantly, and a better understanding of these issues could help staff modify programming and structure to best serve youth. On a broader level, the results will help other teen centers facing similar issues. By understanding how one center has evolved, perhaps other youth workers can use these results to improve their centers as well. Additionally, available literature does not provide in-depth information on the impact of teen leadership in teen centers. The Exit opened in September 1999, so background information and key people involved in the center's creation were still relatively easy to locate. Teens helped design the center, the center has high attendance rates by certain segments of the teen population, and the center uses a teen advisory board to guide the development and activities at the center. These factors made the Exit a good case study and potential showcase for other centers with similar goals. Specific research questions explored during the study were: 1) What (if any) are the differences between the original goals and purposes of The Exit and the actual purposes and day-to-day programs currently offered at the center? Do these perceptions of differences, if any, vary according to stakeholders? The Exit Page 4 2) How does the center impact local youth? 3) How does the Teen Advisory Board function in theory and in practice? While the study results could have relevance in similar settings in other communities, the main applications will likely only pertain to the Exit. Description of Setting College Station, Texas, is a fairly homogenous community, closely tied to Texas A&M University. According to the 1990 Census, the community is 78.12% Anglo (non -Hispanic), 8.92% Hispanic, 6.21 % African American, 6.46% Asian, .81 % Native American, and . I % other. The Exit Teen Center is located at the Southern end of College Station, in a municipal athletic park next to a middle school. The center is approximately 5000 square feet large, with 3500 feet of usable space. Built in 1998-99, the center cost about $365,000. The center operates after school on weekdays from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.; from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m for clubs, meetings and planned rehearsals; and from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays (middle school night) and from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays (high school night). Activities offered on the weekends include live bands, improvisational performances, Karaoke, dances and plays. For unstructured daily activities, the center has a computer room with Internet access, a meeting room where students can work on and get help with homework, and a clubroom with pool tables, football tables, and a large -screen television. Youth use the small fenced -in backyard for football and soccer games, as well as for hanging -out. Youth can also play on the outdoor basketball courts in the surrounding athletic park. Youth have two fee options for gaining entrance to the center's program: they may attend by paying a dollar for each day they use the center, or by paying a $10 membership fee (formally The Exit Page 5 $25) that gives them access to all events at the center for the year. The center is staffed by college students, some of whom are Recreation, Park and Tourism Science majors at Texas A&M University. Other college students volunteer at the center for class requirements, and some high school youth volunteer for community service. Staff go through an interview process before hiring, but do not appear to receive any significant staff training. Teen - any youth between seventh and twelfth grade. Teen center - a building dedicated to structured or unstructured, supervised teen activities. Participant - a teen that has some association with the center, either as a leader, and/or as a frequent or infrequent attendee. To keep the sample size representative, youth do not need to be a member of the center to be in this category. Non -participant - a teen who chooses not to associate with the teen center. This encompasses teens who have never attended the center, and those who attended previously and have decided to discontinue participation for a specific reason. Teen Advisory Board (TAB)- The leadership core of the Exit, comprising staff, an executive board of youth officers and representatives for each grade level, and extended councils for each grade level. Currently, about sixty teens serve on this board in some capacity. Study Methods Methodology Overview One of the main characteristics of a case study is gathering data from "multiple sources of information" (Cresswell, 1998). Thus, this study utilized six different methods, depending upon the research question studied, to aid in data triangulation. These methods included: background The Exit Page 6 research, participant observation, formal interviews, informal interviews, and peer interviews. Methods Applicable to research Question 1: Background information pertaining to the Exit's creation came from documentation of pre -Exit programs, the survey that shaped the Exit's design, and various newspaper articles about the creation of the Exit. Additionally, key contributors to the Exit were interviewed, including College Station Youth Services staff, College Station Parks and recreation Department leaders, and teens who participated in advisory boards before the center opened. Interviews were conducted by a graduate student associated with the project (referred to in the report as the researcher) and an undergraduate research assistant.2 Understanding of the current center and its daily usage and programs was determined through staff and participant interviews, as well as through extensive participant observation. Methods Applicable to research Question 2: A variety of qualitative and quantitative measures were used to gain information pertinent to the second research question. -Formal interviews of participants were designed to determine what encourages youth to participate in the center. 'These interviews were conducted on -site by the researcher. -Informal interviews were conducted in group or individual conversations with the researcher during participant observation. The researcher sometimes asked specific questions, and sometimes pursued random comments made about the center by various participants. -Peer interviews were conducted to triangulate results from the formal interviews. Use of peer interviewers was intended to help remove biases where youth may not be completely candid The researcher has previous experience working with youth in informal, club -like settings through other research (e.g. Witt & Towers, 1999) and through several summer jobs working with city recreational youth programs. The undergraduate research assistant had previous experience working with the Exit, and therefore contributed to understanding some of the data collected relative to this question. The Exit Page 7 about telling the researcher their motivation for participation (or non -participation). Henderson and King use this method of interview in a case study of two teen clubs, and found the method helpful in several ways. First, the peer interviewer was able to get consent forms back more quickly than the principle researchers. Second, she obtained more honest information from the teens interviewed than the researchers felt they could have, and she was able to help explain phrases that the researchers would not have understood on their own. The main problem they encountered with this method was a lack of up -front training for the peer interviewer (Henderson & King, 1999). Teens participating in the TAB were asked to assist as peer interviewers. The researcher conducted a formal training session with thirteen board members, which included discussing interview practices with the youth, highlighting salient points the researcher wanted to emphasize, and a brief discussion of ethics. Youth were provided with a packet containing interview tips and guidelines, and separate worksheets for each interview. The board members were asked to interview four youth within their same grade, two (preferably one male and one female) who participated at the Exit, and two (preferably one male and one female) who did not participate. Peer interviewers were given two weeks to conduct interviews, and had the researcher's phone numbers and e-mail as ways to contact her if problems or questions arose. At the conclusion of these two weeks, the researcher held a focus group with interviewers to determine the interviewer's perceptions of the interviews. -Participant observation by the researcher was conducted to understand the daily dynamics of the center. The researcher observed for two and a half months, from two to three times each week (approximately 12-15 hours per week). The observation was intended to help answer questions of group dynamics, the impact the center has on participants, and how leaders and The Exit Page 8 participants interact. The observation also helped identify candidates for formal interviews. Methods Applicable to Research Question 3: Finally, clarification of teen roles was conducted through formal interviews and participant observation. Interviews of TAB members was intended to provide answers to why teens chose to hold leadership positions, explain their level of participation in the center, and what they hope to accomplish through their leadership roles. Interviews of participants was intended to explain why they chose not to participate as leaders, what they see as the role of the TAB, and how much of a voice they feel they have in the center. Participant observation focused on finding out how closely the leaders in the center's daily activities correlate to the official leaders of the center. The participant observer also attended bi-monthly TAB meetings to get an idea of how the board works, who participates, and the overall goals of the board. Sample Size Approximately 150 youth attend the center for the larger weekend event programs, and about 20 youth attend on a daily basis. Typically, only junior high youth attend on the weekdays, which resulted in more information gained about junior high youth than high school youth. Fifteen middle school youth were formally interviewed (in small focus groups of three or four youth each). Youth for interviews were selected based on their participation level at the center, and their interest in helping with the project. Staff input was considered in determining whom to approach for interviews. Staff members were asked to recommend youth who had a long history of center attendance, and youth who would be likely to take an interview seriously. Reliance on staff input may have biased the study in that staff presumably only recommended those youth The Exit Page 9 they knew would say positive things about the center. However, participant observation minimized this bias by adding a outside perspective with a more objective focus. Logistics Through the course of the study, the researcher followed a pre -determined protocol to ensure that the process of gathering, coding and using information did not harm participants. The participant observer worked as a volunteer staff member at the center, but not "undercover." All staff and TAB members were provided with a basic description of her role and work, and a summary of the goals the study hoped to achieve. When asked about her role during interactions with youth, the researcher expressed an interest in working with youth, and explained that she was also volunteering as a part of a larger study to understand how teen centers worked, and how they could be improved to better meet youth needs. Ethical Considerations Several ethical issues arose during the course of this study. For example, the researcher discovered unforeseen implications of working as a staff member and researcher. As a staff member, she felt compelled to follow center procedures and be a "representative" of the center to youth and parents. However, in situations where this role involved disciplining youth, she was in a difficult position, trying to balance disciplinary procedures and maintaining rapport with youth she intended to interview. Furthermore, in several instances throughout her research, the researcher had opportunities to discuss discipline and staff issues with other staff members. Since an active research role was not intended at the outset of this project, she had to participate in discussions carefully, so as not to bias staff actions with her own opinions and recommendations. The Exit Data Analysis Page 10 The researcher completed over 80 hours of participant observation. Formal interviews were conducted with sixteen junior high youth. High school youth were not interviewed for several reasons. They did not participate in center activities with any degree of frequency, so rapport was difficult to develop. When they did participate, they generally came in distinct groups for specific purposes (i.e., to see their friends play in a band). After the purpose was fulfilled, they did not remain at the teen center, or "hang out." However, the researcher did have an opportunity to bring up issues relevant to the study during several games of pool with three high school youth who came one Saturday night to play pool. Four TAB members returned information from 11 peer interviews. Three interviews (one over e-mail) were conducted with original TAB members, and four interviews were conducted over e-mail with current staff members. Data was analyzed by a method of constant comparison. The researcher drew emerging categories out of the data by frequently re -reading notes and transcripts, taking notes on the re- reading, and summarizing those notes into broad categories. Then the researcher went back through the data to find examples and support for each category, and to make sure no other information was left out during the categorizing process. At the conclusion of this process, the researcher's faculty advisor also went through the data to double-check the categories and look for any information missed. The Exit Results History and Goals of the Center/Current Perceptions of the Center In 1997, College Station began to take an interest in youth -related services. Due to a Page 11 national trend in youth -related crime, the city council ranked youth -related interests as their number 11 priority. Executives within the Park and Recreation Department began researching effective ways to provide youth services in the community. In 1997, the Park and Recreation Department, in conjunction with the school district, distributed a survey about youth services to obtain input of youth in 7`' through 12`h grade. Youth who were interested in helping plan youth services in the community were invited to write their name and home phone number at the end of the survey. The youth who did this formed the initial Teen Advisory Board. Several of these original TAB members were interviewed for this study. They gave similar reasons for joining the TAB, including seizing the chance to make a difference in the community, and looking for new experiences. As one of the founding members said, "I think it was one of the first times in College Station history in which students were given an opportunity to influence/decide upon the available activities for a college community with few outlets for youth not of the college age. We had a chance to be listened to, and we had resources that were made available to us by people who were interested in listening/acting. That was so new to me that I couldn't pass it up." "I was one of those kids that wanted something to do. I knew the college kids, but I also knew I didn't want to get caught or anything like that.... After going to the movies and mall every weekend, that gets really old. We were really interested in getting something new started." These initial TAB members began meeting to discuss how to best meet youth needs in the community. They eventually decided on the need for a designated youth space, and went before the city council to request funds for a teen center. The concept of the center was approved and The Exit Page 12 funded, and the EXIT opened in the fall of 1999. Some youth and community members expressed concern at such a fast -paced chain of events. As one TAB member said, "I did have one worry though. I was afraid that the teen center was going to be constructed to quickly. We did not want to forget what we are using it for. I would have liken to taken a little bit more time to figure out exactly what it is suppose to provide for us.99 Others expressed concerns that College Station youth did not need a teen center. One community member said, "My concerns with the issue, is that it did not go through any of the normal channels. It was also a response to what I thought was a hypothetical rather than a real need. To me, the proper channels for something like are the hearings, capitol bonds issues and the voters voting on it. The city did not do any of this. The money came out of operating money for which council decided it was going to do. Some people thought on the council that it was an issue; it was not an issue to me. There is no evidence to me in this town that youth was a major problem. To me what this was going to do was accommodate 50 to 100 youth, with an investment of 400,000 dollars." Others, however, saw the creation of the Exit as a purely positive action to help youth. One former TAB member commented, "Being one of the first members, people like myself and Ben Fox, etc, tried to lay a framework for how the student representatives could interact with the City representatives and then return to the youth population with activities. We also essentially did the trial and error process of seeing how realistic our vision was for the TAB. I would like to think that all of our many mistakes were learned from, and in so doing, we set the stage for what is today (in my opinion) one of the most successful (if not most fulfilling) actions the City of College Station has ever taken for youth in the area." Current perceptions of the Exit seem generally positive. A former TAB member who has been to the Exit commented, "I have been out there a couple of times and saw kids working on the computer, playing pool or soccer. They are just hanging out, having fun and staying out of trouble. They are in an The Exit Page 13 environment to where they have fun and can don't get looked down upon. The dances get packed out and it is like wow. I know about the skepticism on the city council about the center. One member drilled me about "what are they going to do just dance every weekend" and I said well yes, if that is what they want to do. But this is a place where the kids are staying out of trouble, studying and having a good time." Youth attending the center generally agree that the Exit is more fun than other potential hang-out spots like the mall, the skating rink, or their homes. As one frequent participant says, "It's better than at the skating rink. Because here, you can go out in the back yard, you can go dancing, play pool, play that little rugby thingy, get cokes and drinks, and have a nice time listening to music, and you can have a lot of fun." female, 7" grade. Impact of Center on Youth This question was perhaps the most difficult to address in a cross -sectional study. (For example, more long-term impacts could be observed if the youth were tracked through the next three to five years of their lives and the center had only been open about 6-8 months during the period when this study was conducted.) However, participant observation and youth interviews revealed several areas where the center had both positive and negative impacts on youth. These were categorized into three areas: staff impacts, place impacts, and relational impacts. The issue of high school youth attending the center is addressed in the place impacts section. The other two sections relate primarily to junior high youth. Staff Impacts Staff had both positive and negative impacts on youth attending the center. Witt, Towers and Fox (1999) found in a survey of teen centers that supervisors often listed "staff' as both a positive and negative aspect of the center, as perceived by participants and the community. While this seems impossible, one must consider different aspects of staff/participant relationships. On the positive side, youth perceive some of the staff as people they can trust. The Exit Page 14 Observation showed examples daily of youth (junior high) talking to staff about their personal problems. This tended to occur more with particular staff members, not all of them "warmed up" to the youth as easily. One of the participants stated in an interview that all staff should be more "connected" to youth at the center. She said, "Like, because I think if you get more into the kids, then more kids will come, they'll be like `Oh, they aren't uptight like our parents, they're tight like us, and you know, can relate to us more."' (female, 7" grade) The researcher noted that only a couple of weeks after she began work at the center, youth would come up and talk to her about a range of issues, from family problems to social problems with peers and personal problems. Often, the kids were not looking for solutions, but for a sympathetic ear and someone to simply listen to them without criticizing. Additionally, the researcher observed on a more subtle level the depth to which staff cared about youth. In the few instances when youth were permanently kicked out of the center for extreme misbehavior, the researcher talked with staff who were extremely upset over the situations. They worried about issues like what the youth would do now, and what would happen to them if a positive influence like the teen center was no longer available. As stated in field notes after a particularly disturbing day, How does all of this relate to my questions? This teen center has a "tough love" impact on the kids. The staff love these kids so much that they will not stand by and tacitly condone choices the kids make that will ultimately harm the kids. They love these kids enough to sign the arrest papers when the kids are risking harm to themselves. How that impacts the kids, I don't know. But I don't think they get this kind of love from just anyone. (Field notes, 2/25/2000) On the other hand, youth frequently criticized the staff for being too strict. On several occasions, youth compared staff members to school officials, complaining that they were too strictly supervised. Different participants noted: The Exit Page 15 "All the staff members have a strict problem. They're like `I'll kick you out, don't do that, I'm gonna kick you out, don't do that. Hey, watch that!"' (male, 7'' grade, interview) "Write me up? That's like a school term! Do you know how many times I've been threatened with that?" (male, 7''2 grade, field notes 3/24/2000) "Most of the staff is like the school board." (male, 7th grade, field notes 317/2000) The third quote was in reference to an episode where a staff member threatened to write up a youth who teasingly threatened to spit his gum wrapper at her. The last two quotes came from only two of the instances where the observer noted staff using their authority over the youth for ambiguous or what she perceived as unreasonable situations. Youth were kicked out of the center, or put in time out for no better reason than "disrespecting me [staff]." Oftentimes, the youth were confused at why they were being punished, but questions to that effect only resulted in the staff getting madder at perceived insolence. In all the instances where the observer noted staff kicking out youth, the reason for kicking the youth out was disrespect to staff, not breaking specific rules. The junior high youth resented the rules the staff upheld in general. Many times, staff spent so much time enforcing small rules that the youth saw them only as disciplinarians, not as mentors. One participant remarked about staff rule enforcement: "[A staff member] doesn't want us to have any body contact at all, he doesn't want us to have any foul language, no running, no horseplay, nothing, it's just like going home to our parents and they've been all mad and stuff everyday." (female, 7' grade, interview) In an interview, one participant remarked, "[the] rules chop kids into little pieces and make them into perfect cubes" (female, 7h grade). Perhaps one of the implicit goals of the teen center is to provide youth with specific definitions and regulations of conduct. If so, this directly conflicts with the youth's perception of the center as a place to help them get away from home and school. The Exit Page 16 Finally, staff members often threatened worse punishments than they could carry out. The researcher frequently observed other staff members threatening to kick youth out for various behaviors. If the youth continued acting in such a way, and did not leave the center, staff members often threatened to call the police. Such threats not only made the situation worse, they also weakened the authority of the staff members. By threatening to call the police, staff members implied that they could no longer handle the youth. Since the youth continued in misbehavior after that point, one can assume that the youth picked up on this idea of staff members not being able to discipline them as well. �€ i 1 1 i0 :.�01 Overall, junior high youth had much more ownership of the Exit than did high school youth. High school TAB members provided some insight on this phenomenon. As one high school TAB member said, "I really think that the teen center was born too late for our generation, like other people our age. I think it will be really good in high school when these junior high kids are in high school, because really, our kids, it's not that they don't like the teen center from experience, but they don't have the experience." During a focus group interview with TAB members, younger members agreed with this idea, and expressed continued interest in participating at the Exit once they reached high school. When high school youth did come to the Exit, they participated solely for the activity offered, and not to "hang out" at the center. Junior high youth, on the other hand, came to the Exit regardless of whether anything was going on or not. As one participant explained in an interview, "If you take off your shoes, they're like "Get your shoes back on!" It's like, why? This is our home!" (female, 7' grade). Junior high youth also expressed a desire to gain more The Exit Page 17 ownership of the center. In response to a question about how to improve the Exit, one youth said "Like murals. Have everybody come one Friday and just paint the walls. Just paint them. That would be like our creation. Then it's like THE teen Exit." (female, 7" grade, emphasis hers). Peer and formal interviews showed that the Exit impacts youth differently based upon their social groups. Mouth typically classified themselves as either "bangers" or "preps." Based on observation and informal dialogue, the researcher determined that "bangers" are more alternative, liberal youth who tend to wear dark and accessories with hard -rock band names. Banger youth were also more likely to claim liberal viewpoints such as atheism and feminism. Overall, this group had more conflicts with staff over rules than any other group. The "prep" group included youth dressed more "socially acceptably", with some guys in slacks and button down shirts with clean haircuts. One participant in the banger group explained the way preps dress. "They wear the tank tops, you know like, stuffed bras. They wear these little mini -skirts, and they wear there hair up in these cute little, neat little braids" (female, 7' grade). Preps generally referred to bangers as "crack -heads, pot -heads, people that make -out" (female, 7" grade). The two groups obviously did not mix well. In interviews, the two groups usually attributed the reasons why more people did not go to the center to the other group. For example, one "prep" female noted that her friends did not go to the Exit because "They just think all the bangers go here" (female, 7``` grade). One non- participant noted through a peer interview that the Exit should not exist because "Because crack heads hang out there" (female, 7" grade). A group of banger girls expressed their dislike for preps, explaining that preps only came to check out guys, and recommended that the staff let The Exit Page 18 bangers spray paint on preps, or write an X on their backs to make them stand out. Overall, bangers did appear to have a little more ownership of the center. Preps used the term "Exit people" as a derogatory term for teen center participants, and bangers used the phrase as a positive description for themselves. The researcher was unable to determine from observation or from interviews why the two groups both continued to participate at the center after expressing such dislike for the other group. The current Teen Advisory Board (TAB) started out this semester with 65 members, and ended with a dedicated group of 25 members. Most of the junior high youth involved with the TAB also participated in weekend and weekday activities at the center. High school TAB members did not, and their reasons for not participating were discussed previously in the "Place Impacts" section. The TAB planned and conducted two major activities, a joint meeting with a youth council in a nearby city, and a spring banquet for TAB members. Proposals discussed at meetings included planning a youth summit for youth councils throughout Texas, an open forum discussion on the pros and cons of building a half pipe skate park at the teen center. The main functions of TAB meetings included: promotion of Exit programs (especially high school nights), and keeping the TAB members informed of other events in the community pertaining to youth (i.e, the supervisor kept youth informed of breakfasts with the mayor and other opportunities for the TAB members to make appearances). Other TAB responsibilities included community service like a canned food drive and youth volunteering in the community. High school youth tended to be more vocal at meetings than junior high youth. Junior high recommendations did not tend to be taken as seriously at meetings. Usually, their suggestions The Exit Page 19 were acted upon, but the general joking, teasing tone of the meetings appeared to be less conducive to younger members participating than older members. Some of the junior high members attended the Exit on weekdays, and most came at least some Friday nights. No high school board member came to the center on weekday or Saturday nights during the observation period. At the last TAB meeting of the year, the researcher conducted a focus group session with the eight youth present. The focus group provided insights into the youth's perceived role as TAB members. Applications for TAB were distributed through the schools, so some youth joined without even knowing much about the teen center. They joined TAB because it offered them a chance to participate in city government. They believed their responsibilities as TAB members included being a role model to other youth in the community. As one member commented, "Yeah, I thought it would be cool to be in an organization that is actually a city -sponsored commission, you know, and even though you're students and children that don't usually have such great responsibility, I mean tremendous responsibility and power we have, I mean, okay I just can't speak today. Mostly teenagers don't have a lot of responsibility, and they certainly don't have a hand in building or programs, or beneficial services for other people in the community like the Teen Advisory board allows students to do that and that's why I was interested in it. It seemed like a really great way to participate in your local government." TAB saw themselves as youth representatives to the whole community. One TAB member said, "They don't know what we do, really, and they don't care what we do, they just know we're doing something good. They're like `Oh, we support you. We don't know what you're doing, but way to go"'(TAB member, 12``` grade) During interviews, the researcher asked each group of kids if they had heard of the TAB, what they thought of the TAB, and if they would be interested in being a part of the TAB. Most of the youth had heard of the TAB, but none expressed interest in joining. Some of their perceptions about the TAB are summed up in the following quotes: The Exit Page 20 "We were never asked to join [TAB]. All they talk about is teen problems. We would be the only bangers [if we were on the TAB] they wouldn't listen to us." (female, 7' grade) "They're not really part of the Exit, they meet here." (male, 7' grade) Other youth commented that they would not want to be on the TAB because kids would not like their ideas, or because they do not like planning. Most of the youth interviewed, however, were enthusiastic about sharing their ideas for how to improve the teen center. One group asked the researcher to give the tape recording of the interview to the supervisor, and approached the researcher the following week to see if she had told the supervisor about their ideas. Evidently, the kids have ideas, and would like to have them expressed, but they do not see the TAB as the means of expressing such ideas. Youth Recommendations The following is a brief summary of ideas expressed by youth in the interviews about how they would like to see the teen center changed. These ideas must be balanced with the counterpoint several youth contacted through peer interviews would like to see the center remain as is with no changes. Overall, a pattern emerged of youth wanting more responsibility at the center. Several youth wanted to volunteer as DJ's for Friday night dances (according to the director some already do), and suggested having a class to help them learn how to DJ. Several groups also wanted to work as junior staff at the center, with responsibilities including working the DJ booth and handling the check -in table. The youth were clear that they only wanted to work "part-time" in the evenings, with time to spend with friends as well. The researcher probed this idea, and asked The Exit Page 21 how the kids would feel about the responsibility of making sure their peers followed center rules, a responsibility that would naturally go with such a position. The youth maintained that neither they nor their friends would be uncomfortable with such a situation. Youth also had several recommendations pertaining to staff. They expressed a desire for the staff to "hang-out" with kids more, making an effort to get to know the kids better and telling the kids more about themselves. The youth also wanted the staff to ease up on their disciplinary roles and act more as mentors. Specifically, they asked that they be able to handle conflicts with other kids by themselves. They do not like staff breaking up confrontations (verbal confrontations, not fights) and making the parties involved sit in time out. Youth expressed some concern about volunteers working at the center. Volunteers come from Texas A&M University. (Several education classes require students to volunteer as youth workers for a specific number of hours.)' One participant commented in an interview "Volunteers are weird. They come in groups, they sit and talk to each other and don't do anything. That's not right. Why have them working here? Some of them are cool. Volunteers need to go through an interview, like for a job." (male, 7'' grade) The kids expressed a range of ideas pertaining to center and program improvement. Many of these may be impossible due to monetary constraints, but each of these recommendations would increase teen's sense of ownership of the center. They want the center open for longer hours. They want to be able to come to the center on Saturday nights (when there are no bands) so they can hang out with their friends in high school. Apparently, this idea was tested before, and no 3The center directors notes that volunteers at present are a "vastly underutilized resource. At this time, education majors from TAMU enrolled in TEFB 201 are required to get 15 hours of observation in order to complete the course requirements. These students are allowed to come in and observe to help them out. They are not staff members and do not carry out any duties of staff members. They observe and play with the kids. We call them volunteers because we have to call them something, but the reason they don't do much is because they aren't supposed to do much. This may be a good source of the mentors we so desperately need. This will be up to the course professors, who I will contact for their input." The Exit Page 22 youth came on Saturday nights. They do not like having numbers drawn on their hands in permanent marker when they enter on Friday nights. The want the backyard of the center expanded and leveled to make football games easier. They would like to decorate the walls of the center and turn the upstairs into a soundproof room where they can watch television or play video games. This use of the upstairs may not be feasible for monetary reasons. Additionally, ADA standards demand equal access for all youth, and the center currently only has stairs to the second -floor room. Thus the Exit would have to put in an elevator to use the upstairs room. However, the smaller room in the center could be converted from its current purpose as a meeting room (youth do not use the room often) to a television room (note: center director indicates this has been done) where youth could hang out and play video games. Youth also stated that they would like black lights in areas of the center, and would like to have two dance floors. Finally, they think the shed behind the teen center should be torn down to ensure greater security at the center. (Currently, some youth use the shack as a place to smoke, and climb over the Exit fence to reach the shed.) Researcher Recommendations The Exit has won an award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for its theater program. In addition, the junior high youth attending the center voiced many positive comments about the center. They liked having a place to hang out with friends, they liked getting away from their parents, and they seem to find the location convenient. Additionally, the researcher had the opportunity to talk with several parents informally, and they appreciated having a place their kids could go where the parents knew they would be safe and supervised. However, even the best programs can always benefit from improvements. The researcher would recommend The Exit Page 23 improvements primarily in the difficult areas of staff and rules. These recommendations can be summarized into the following list: * Conduct additional staff training. * Enlist participant help in staff training. * Make disciplinary procedures more consistent. * Create opportunities for youth to have jobs, responsibilities within the center. * Change the center rules. Conduct Staff Training: There seems to be some disagreement about the initial level of training provided to staff. Based on discussions with several staff, it was felt that new staff begin working at the center with little more training than a quick tour of the facilities. On the other hand, the director provided the following information about the current training procedures. "Beginning in the interview, individuals are selected that have experience working with kids and have a strong desire to continue working with kids. They must then pass a background check and drug screen to be hired. All staff members go through a two hour training session that covers the policies and procedures manual so they will know what to expect. Once they are oriented, they are placed on the schedule to "shadow" the experienced staff for a minimum of two weeks learning first hand all their duties and expectations. During this time they all go through first aid and CPR training as well. Then and only then are they allowed to work a shift. Further, they are scheduled with the supervisor and the most experienced staff for several weeks. All staff meet every week with me (the director) as an ongoing training tool." At present training does not include areas such as conflict management, mediation, counseling, and center policies on how to handle problems. As one staff member said, "We need staff training; only people who really desire to help kids and see it as more than a job should work at a teen center." Additional formal and ongoing training would increase staff confidence in their abilities, help them best understand what is expected of, and help maintain consistent The Exit Page 24 policies among staff members. Such consistency will also help kids understand exactly what is allowed at the Exit and what is not. Enlist Participant Delp in Staff 'Training: Several possible ideas seem pertinent to alleviate problem situations with described previously. Most staff (the observer included) needed a break-in period to warm-up to the kids and become comfortable with them. This transition time could be shortened and staff could be put more at ease by having youth help train staff. To elaborate, perhaps certain frequent participants could come to a short segment of staff training and give new staffers tips for working at the Exit. This would benefit both staff and youth. It would help staff warm-up to youth, and also make them more confident by knowing what the kids expect and need from them. It would make the youth feel more responsible and more integral to the Exit by giving them responsibility and a chance to help the staff. Judging from interviews, youth have little qualms about telling staffers their strengths and weaknesses, and exactly what they can do to improve. From the researcher's perspective of a staff member, this advice was extremely helpful and reassuring. Setup Consistent Disciplinary Procedures. Throughout the course of observation, the researcher noticed many instances where staff would selectively enforce rules and discipline youth with varying degrees of severity. Enforcement of rules depended upon who the staff member was (some were notably more lax than others), who else was working (enforcement of rules was generally more strict when the supervisor was around) and who the youth were (i.e., some youth do not even know the teen center has rules, because they are seldom disciplined, and some youth were disciplined nearly much more frequently. This latter group tended to get in trouble for not being respectful enough, or for small offenses like throwing paper airplanes that The Exit Page 25 turned into power struggles with staff.) Additionally, paid staff tended to enforce the rules much ZD more stringently than did volunteers. Whether this was because the volunteers felt less comfortable with the youth, or because the volunteers did not know the rules is uncertain. This complex combination of rule enforcement frustrated the youth and baffled the researcher. The youth did not like getting yelled at by one staff member for things another overlooked. The researcher did not appreciate other staff expecting her to stand by their time-out judgments for ambiguous disrespectful behavior. This also caused problems on Friday nights with the "no re- entry" policy. According to the rules, youth who leave the teen center are not allowed back in under any circumstances. Several times, while manning the check -in desk, the researcher refused to let youth come back into the center. Then other staff would allow youth to come back in, which undermined the researcher's authority and allowed the youth to see that rules were not necessarily always upheld at the center. This happened with other staff as well. Thus, more consistent rule enforcement would help youth by letting them know exactly what they can and can not do. It would also prevent youth from seeing some staff as "mean" and others as "nice" based solely on how individual staff enforce the rules. Additionally, the center needs a more consistent disciplinary system. While the center has a "three strikes and you're out policy" (meaning the youth get kicked out for the day after breaking three rules), many youth did not seem to know about the policy, and staff did not enforce the policy uniformly. Some staff would simply tell the youth they had a strike for a particular behavior, and others would sit youth in time out for strikes. Generally, such discipline would increase in severity if the youth moved out of time-out, or made "back -talking" comments at the staff member. The Exit Page 26 Create Opportunities for Youth to Have Jobs, Responsibilities Within the Center. This idea came from youth suggestions (see section on youth responsibility). The researcher strongly recommends opportunities in this area be increased, since it will benefit both youth and the center in a variety of ways. Jobs would give youth more ownership and responsibility in the center. Youth participating in this manner would feel more connected to the center, like they have an outlet to express their ideas about the center, and that they belong to the center. The junior staff positions would also free adult staff from responsibilities like working the ICJ booth and check -in table, enabling them to devote all their time and attention to interacting with the youth. This would help with discipline and mentoring. Change the Center Rules. Many of the youth expressed concerns that rules were too restrictive. If the Teen Center intends to be a place for youth, youth must feel comfortable there. While some rules are a necessity, the center does not need as many specific rules. Many of the youth noted that some rules are unenforceable, and some are simply too restrictive. As some of the youth commented in interviews, "And y'all say the staff will enforce these rules, but every area you look you see people horse playing and stuff. So why did they put it on the list?" (male, 7' grade) "It's like you're going to break the rules anyway, no matter what you do." (female, 7`h grade) "I mean, people here, we're supposed to be pre -adolescents, or adolescents, and then we come here, on junior high night, it's like coming to a place you can't do anything." (female, 7' grade) Rules could be changed to be broader and simpler. This would ensure that youth know codes of conduct are expected, but would not make them feel as if they are in a school situation. Such rules like "no horse play" are directly contradictory to the purpose of a recreational facility. The Exit Page 27 Finally, the no re-entiy policy on weekends restricts facility use. The Exit is located in the middle of a park with basketball courts, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. Teens cannot go back and forth between these facilities because they are supposed to stay inside the Exit once their parents drop them off. Perhaps having a more thorough sign -in, sign -out policy could compromise by allowing kids to come and go, but still maintaining a record of where kids are for concerned parents. Conclusions The Exit Teen Center, while still relatively new, provides a place some teenagers in the College Station area a place they can call their own. As the youth and staff have stated above, the facility is not enough. Youth are also looking for a place to escape the supervision and rules of their daily lives, and they are looking for positive role models beyond their parents and teachers. The Exit has every opportunity to provide this through increased staff training and programmatic changes. The Teen Advisory Board provides a highly unusual opportunity for youth in the community to make their voices heard. Undoubtedly, as the TAB redirects its focus, it will continue to provide such opportunities. Further studies should be targeted at determining long-term impacts of the Exit on youth and on the community. As a new junior high school opens next fall, opportunities will arise for interesting comparative studies between a school with a teen center nearby, and a school without. The Exit, although unique in many respects, provides a good example of how youth and adults can work together in a community to meet youth needs. While other communities may not be in a situation parallel to College Station, the emergent themes from this study of teamwork, listening to youth, and providing for youth needs on a variety of levels can and should The Exit Page 28 be applicable to nearly all communities. Perhaps such youth empowerment, and obvious concerns for youth needs and wants will give youth a positive outlet for their individuality, and help curb the national trend of youthful high -risk behaviors. The Exit References Babbie, E. (1998) The practice of social research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. Page 29 Baker, D. & Hultsman, J.(2000) Thunderbirds Teen Center Program Evaluation. Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library & Arizona State University: unpublished project report. Carruthers, C.P. & J.A. Busser. (2000). A Qualitative Outcome Study of Boys and Girls Club program Leaders, Club Members, and Parents. University of Nevada: unpublished Project Report. Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Henderson, K. A. & King, K. (1999). Youth spaces and places: Case studies of two teen clubs. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 17(2), 28-41. Oldenburg, R. (1989). The great good place: Cafes, coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors, general stores, bars, hangouts and how they get you through the day. New York, NY: Paragon House. Stake, R..E. (1998). Case studies. In Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry. Ed. N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Witt, P.A. & J.L. Crompton. Recreation Programs That Work for At -Risk Youth- The Challenge of Shaping the Future. State College PA: Venture Publishing. Witt, P.A., Towers, E. & Fox, J. (2000) Teen Centers: A Place of Their Own. Texas A&M University: unpublished project report. Witt, P.A. & Towers, E. (1999) Evaluation of the 1999 Summer Teen Recreation Academy. Texas A&M University: unpublished project report. CITY OF COLUVc t,@ ATION LINCOLN RECREATION CENTER ADVISORY BOARD Regullar Meeting PlUnutes Monday, August 14, 2000 Lincoln Recreation Center 1000 Eleanor, CS® TX- 5:45 PM Carolyn Williams, Debra Thomas, Eleanor Williams, Cathy Watson, Barbara Clemrnons® Joe Dan Franklin, Mabelene Robinson, Merflyn Rucker Don o-d K"aFallo- �s &boefl,- None SIZ-0u plrssaflto Lance Jackson, Neal Donovar� [02 Rep fraseflft Uwa'- James Steen V10od11arr,aD Pireaafi�-. None o CM to aird'isir-The Meeting was called to order by LRC Board Chairperson Carolyn %Nflfiams at 911045 p.m. 2. HMEW WdSUb00TS- H@R(g pb'(W(eflt Jackson introduced Neal Donovan, Program Director for the Lincoln Recreation Center (LRC) to the Board. 3. PaFddon ,- Cono5deir [rsqw*qy, qov a boancag 0 fflamberro ftm ffleeldflg- Everyone present &PPT0W"--10P5 off rink"Outao ftnD R'C'4-'UkE@a" 3URS Se 2000 HQ-@Ung-vho XURs- 5�h fflnm,�Psz %Nerfs approved as nead. 25a oWcuss5on, oun Deposk StaREpp Waif LAC chacko-Motion was made by Clemmons and carried to purchase a Lincoln Center stamp imprinted, Deposit Only. G. UscumMon and P-a�sWa AcUon ors P,@Ct Offrocs hON forr LRC AdvNsary Dow-d- Motion was made and carried for the rentaN of a Post Office Box at the College Station Post Office for the Lincoln Recreation Center Advisory Board. It was also established that the Treasurer and President would maintain the keys. 71. Kepov MscusoNon end PGOSUe ACHOH or, UkS TuftfrWN at LRC- Clemmons informed Board members that the target date for implementation of the TAAS tutorial was two vvreeks from today°s date of August 14, 2000, o Repowt BNSCUSSIon and poSSIbRe A000n on prroaed we forr rfequaot of donations ffrrow the LF,m Motion was rude and carried for the establishment of procedures for requesting funds from the LRC Board. Request for Donation foam be developed and that form would become part of the LRC Advisory Board°s records, Requests for donations must be submitted on the form for board consideration during the rregOar meetings. Recipients will provide a follow up report of activities. o DISCUS ion oo the CdW of CooHage Om. Uoo hewFe new rreguest fforr UnCoHn K@noweUono on Augaot 9% 2000 — Jackson told the Board that the amount of $90,400 was approved for renovations at the LRC. fl0o �oe�a�Eor� ors Coo off C�o�Dege 0��©€� �e��� �oc��eeeflo�� der�0or� po�ao end accepting@ of c3ooat d000 e After discussion of the afore -mentioned, Jackson su jgested that The LRC seek special considerations from the Parks Board. ut. NocuzWon an Firo2pacUwa QdWN@Q)r-T Commfflee Er�8mbar-2 e Motion was made and carried to petition the parrs Board for special consideration for the current Lr_C Advisory Board to remain intact for another year. Motion was made and carried to make the f0lowing modifications to the LRC Board bylaws0 amend bylaws to read members will serve Ovo year appointments with the option for an additional tv�o years, with LRC Board meetings being Meld on the Second Monday of each month with the starting time of 5,45 p.m. 92. 2 ubb cam MMae G°3epoTts 0" Cofloent gtem QS3.0 `treasury Report Quarterly program Report �I4. «; Ojouv %s2& LKC ROIW50097 WEIrd HeoUNG o tengetbW4V Khsd Ded ffoff WGdnGodaY OeptembeU 0, 2000 5245 piano at the UnCOUR ear,= OUOR CGHtOv. the WMHO ae �Rqheegchahr Rccessoboeo C OndO coop EDDOO E€ig SpaCee eTe W&HENS. 07/31/00 14 e 59 e4O9 764 3513 Cod. STA C®NR CTR M Regular Meeting Wednesday, August 9, 2000,12 p.m. College Station Conference Cenl er 1. Call to order 2. Doll call 3. Pardon— Consider requests for absences of members from 7neeting 4. Hear visitors 5. Approval of minutes from regular Meeting of june 99 2000 6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action of Committee Member Positions 7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on proposed accomplishments for the upcoming year 9. presentation, discussion, and possible action on Revenue Reports 11 June 2000 July 2000 � *The building is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call (979)764- 3720 or TDD 1-800-735-2989. Agenda posted on Internet Website htt:p://www.ci.college-station.tx.us and Cable Access Channel 19. Fir- 111-- P. O. Box 9960 • 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 Tel. 409 764 3500 August 7, 2000 Christina Everitt Parker 904 Montclair St. College Station, TX 77840 Dear Ms. Parker, The College Station Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Beachy, received your letter and asked that I address your concerns pertaining to Tarrow Park. I hope your son has recuperated from his injury. The glass in the park is a continuous concern for Parks Operations. We cleaned the glass from the playgrounds on August 2, 2000. There is a "No Glass Containers Allowed" ordinance that is in effect in all City parks, but visitors to this particular park heavily ignore this ordinance. I am hoping to get with Lance Jackson, the Lincoln Center Supervisor, about using Community Service Workers to routinely remove glass from the park. The missing bench slats will be replaced this week. Vandalism of the benches is another continuous problem in the park, although not as major of a problem as the broken glass. The small posts sticking up in the playground are actually the support posts for the spiral slide that was broken by vandals. There was a protective cover over the posts, but someone had removed it. The protective covers have been reinstalled and the spiral slide sections have been ordered. They should be delivered in about 3 weeks and the slide will be reinstalled by the end of August. When the slide is reinstalled, we will replace the old pea gravel around the play structure with new pea gravel. Also, we will mix recycled rubber with the pea gravel to create a softer fall surface. Thank you for voicing your concerns for the park. Please contact me if you have any other concerns or if you wish further discussion on the concerns you have mentioned. Sincerely, Curtis Bingham Parks Operations Superintendent Home of Texas ,4&M University Christina Everitt Parker 904 Montclair College Station, TX 77840 The City of College Station Parks and Recreation 1000 Krenek Tap Road College Station, TX 77840 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing regarding the park at the comer of Luther Street and Montclair Ave. I have on several occasions made telephone calls concerning the maintenance of the park. Last fall, I reported that my son was injured by the glass in the rocks by the slides. In addition, the concern of many other parents has been brought to my attention. I have enclosed the photographs, which show some of the major problems we have dealt with at this park. The glass in the rocks is the most obvious and immediate problem. The children from the apartments on Luther Street play barefooted in the gravel and I have witnessed children being injured on several occasions. There are several metal posts sticking out of the ground and broken park benches. I have visited several other park locations in the College Station area and find this park to be the most deplorable. The park located on Harvey Road is an excellent example of what I would like to see at this location. I feel that the location of this park is the reason it is not being properly maintained. However, it is probably the most utilized park for exactly the same reason. I request that immediate action be taken to correct the deficiencies at the park and to take steps to prevent future vandalism and neglect. I trust that you will respond to my letter as soon as possible and let me know when cleanup and repairs will be initiated. Sincerely, Christina Parker - - � vim Jys i'F C J Eby e ' e s,, YOU ',.w_ - K a`e't`'W •"S k Ali m .S' k �.z 4 t� w b. S , - / g .,'t rP N , M , �� �-wYry � ,fir f' _" - - - .. - - - •S' - - .. i'-, _ -_ -" ""i %,�"kR' _ _ - _ _ - - a A �rxv .s-�: 3i'• � ;mar a*M _ - - - � - - _ - - - - _ _ - _ � '!Ohio 91 - HMOs n r., .-w.. 711, NON IN YA OP An Mot W-1 off :,e1 P. O. Box 9960 - 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 Tel. 409 764 3500 September 1, 2000 Steve Smith 1003 Dexter Drive College Station, Texas 77840 Dear Mr. Smith: The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board researched pertinent information regarding your letter. The Board charged staff to investigate the points referenced in your letter. Staff took extra trips to the facility and researched the legal aspects of banning alcohol at a city facility. There has not been an increase in the number of alcohol related incidents this year. The altercation referenced in your letter was not alcohol related as you inferred, but rather a feud between two individuals that came to a head in the parking lot at Central Park after their game. The City of College Station cannot usurp the Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commission's authority and place its own restrictions on alcohol in public places. The City could restrict use at City facilities by having the College Station Police Department issue trespassing tickets. During the time period between Board meetings, staff visited the Central Park Softball Complex an additional 9 times (8-week nights and I weekend tournament). There were several groups observed in the parking lot each night, gathered after their games, but very little alcohol was observed being consumed inside the complex. The City League has the following preventive measures in place: I There is a section in the league rules relating to alcohol that is emphasized during each coaches meeting. 2. There is an ASA rule that prohibits alcohol and tobacco products in the playing field. 3. There is a local rule and penalty for offensive language that the local umpires association enforces. It should be noted that over 1,700 games, involving 3,400 teams have played softball at Central Park so far this year. At this time we feel that through continued monitoring of incidents at Central Park, continued education of coaches, continued enforcement by the umpires association and the inclusion of an alcohol related question on the next adult softball survey, the desired results can be achieved. Thank you for your time and interest in our programs. Sincerely, Itr �� J Steve Beachy Director of Parks and Recreation cc: Parks and Recreation Board Home of Texas A&M University a 6 wnw� Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol & Substance Abuse Mr. Lance Jackson Lincoln Recreation Center 1000 Eleanor College Station, Texas 77841 IRM-91M N-1 F. MW AXW go'. . I !I Role, 111 1 P11 tzae a; NNI 1 41,1711111 ;.-Y_1 1 111,1111 qNSIN-16! 1:1111 lime] 119if I As you know, Camp KANDU is an enrichment program designed for 3 rd graders in the Brazos Valley. Its goal is to help kids learn how to make good choices through enjoyable, creative and educational activities. BVCASA is a non-profit agency, providing education, prevention, and treatment services relating to alcohol and drug abuse. The primary mission of the Council is to combat alcohol and drug abuse in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties. Once again, thank you for partnering with BVCASA in this essential program. Backing from the community is important to our organization and we truly value your support. Sinc ely, Audreyy Re d cam"SA "M =111 CC: Steve Beachy, Director, CS Parks and Recreation 0_1 P. O. Box 4435, Bryan, Texas 77805 979/776-7070 or 24 Hour Hotline 979/775-TALK United Way 404 Building Contractors 14401 FM 973 ® Manor, TX 78653 ® Telephone (512) 272-5458 ® Fax (512) 272-5500 August 1, 2000 Texas ASA District 30 1000 Krenek Tap Road College Station, Texas 77840 Attn: Tony I 01-4-M � I = Just a short note to say thanks again for a great State Tournament. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to play in the tournament, having previously qualified. Once more, the fields, concessions and the cordial manner we were treated were your usual best. Thank again and good luck on your "A" Nationals. S incere IV, Stan Voelker PE -II L G r"'% q'qm F-_X'g'S WASHNGTON, D.C. 20510-4302 August 11, 2000 Mr. Chris Barzilla Chairman College Station Parks and Recreation Board Post Office Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842 Dear Mi. Baiziha: Thank you -for contacting me about legislati.ve,proposals to allocate revenues for federal and state resource acquisition and. protection- I appreciate having.the benefit of your views on this important matter, As you may know, the traditional source of federal handing to support. federal; state:, and local efforts to acquire and protect natural resources is the € and and Water Cons r a is T t F"11a1d (LWCF), created in 1964. Aside front the fr.ds coil cted through the motorboat 1' 0.16 tar and federal outdoor recreation user fees, redercal fees from oil and gas leascsop the ()xtc Continental Shelf (O CS have ,rovidi i� l `v all c t �.�'ite 3d _ � ) have P _ 1 , f,`�'C;F revenues t1�r 'lj� has; , � � .,c ,.,- Annually, tl�efuird is credited wit: , r;=c e au t _ a(, any ; �t0() millions: ;lr: ~ 1' r such funds.to. be spent for.lai;d acqu%sitioras Cons s ;rotas iauthorize`sucl spend iYsg. 1Z pecitic designations are not made from the fund, the .evenucs remain in the U.S.. Taeasury and may be appropriated for other federal activities. Currently, a number of conservation and preservation bills, such as the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 (H.R. 701/S. 25), are being considered by Congress. These bills would, in part, provide full, perm&nent funding for the LWCF, as well as dedicated fund-ing cf Otherr�nt'anP t� � n r,rn c '� � � tt r ♦. t a i. t rri �- . till-�v t t,-r t n; + i t. ��a. .vim v_.,... ��. ._.. �.�_ g... Lam.. ,_ v, l,.v-_...:... �..� _:. __c _..__. .-_. .�.,�....._.t.q •. u.c __:w _.... e..a.....-i�..:v .: i.�ii, ..:..,.,:.. t. preservation. and forestay conservation. Most bills would also fund restoration and protection of coastal resources, and provide funding for related purposes, such as urban parks, historic preservation, public and Indian land restoration, and acquisition of easements. You may be interested to know that the House of Representatives passed its version (H.R. 701) on May 11, 2000, and has sent the bill to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. I understand the various issues involved in this debate, and I appreciate your ioput on this important matter. 5'ou maybe sure that I will keep your views foremost in min(: as iss-des t€ related to resource allocation and protection corne before, the Senate for corisideration.s . awry 3. �S �"�. <. yy �t• z E^I °�t��. I appreciate having the opportunity to work with you on behalf of the people of Texas. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Yours respectfully, r PHIL GRAMM United States Senator PG:mdm