HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2025 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA
Tuesday September 09, 2025
Minutes
Staff Present:
Kelsey Heiden, Director of Parks and Recreation; Gene Ballew, Assistant Director; Andrea Lauer,
Business Services Manager
Board Present:
Thomas Marty; Neo Jang; Amy Arrendondo; Cheletia Johnson; Kimberly Topp; Anthony Branch,
Andrew Arizpe
Council Present:
None
1. Call meeting to order, Pledge of Allegiance, consider absence requests. With
a quorum present, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order on
Tuesday, September 09, 2025 @ 6 p.m. Kevin Bishop and David Scott requested
excused absences. Upon a motion by Andrew Arizpe and a second by Cheletia
Johnson, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted seven (7) for and none (0)
opposed approving the absence requests. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Hear visitors. None
3. Informational Items
3.1 Presentation and discussion by the Director of Parks and Recreation on
matters pertaining to the Board. Kelsey provided the following updates. The I
Heart America event was very successful, with attendance more than doubling from
last year with an estimated 7,700 people in attendance. The Games of Texas event
was also a success and is scheduled to return in 2026. At the August 28th City Council
meeting, Council approved the request to name Senior League Fields 5 and 6 at Brian
Bachmann Community Park in honor of Bill Whitehead. Additionally, two Pop-Up in
the Park events will be held this month to gather community input for the Parks
Master Plan update.
3.2 Presentation and discussion on Bond 2022 project updates. Kelsey reported
that the Pickleball and Multi-Use Courts at Anderson Park, along with the Bee Creek
and Central Park Tennis Courts, have been completed. Since the ribbon cutting,
Anderson Park has seen more than 7,500 visits. The Central Park Operations Shop
is expected to open next month and was completed $2.9 million under budget.
Construction of the Bachmann Senior and Little League buildings has been delayed
due to significant rainfall. Improvements at Thomas Park are currently in the
schematic design phase, with full design anticipated to be completed in winter 2025
and construction beginning in spring 2026. The Lincoln Center Area Improvements
design is 98% complete, and the Splashpad Project design is 90% complete.
Construction for the Area Improvements Bond Project is scheduled to begin this fall.
3.3 Presentation and discussion on Recreation Center Feasibility Study update.
Kelsey stated that the space program summary shows the total area of the site
would be 97,500 SF, she also went over potential costs such as Annual O&M,
proposed monthly membership cost, FTE counts and cost recovery.
3.4 Presentation and discussion on future baseball fields at Veterans Park.
Kelsey showed the proposed Veterans Park Baseball Concept map showing three
fields and the amenities, more details to come.
4. Regular Agenda
4.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the approval of minutes
from the previous meeting. Upon a motion made by Anthony Branch and a
second by Neo Jang, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted seven (7) for
and none (0) opposed approving the minutes as written. The motion passed
unanimously.
4.2 Public Hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion on a resolution
Of the City Councill, for a Change of Use to a portion of the Memorial
Cemetery of College Station, for the installation of a Sanitary Sewer line
and associated Utility and Temporary Construction Easements. Upon a
motion by Anthony Branch and a second by Andrew Arizpe, the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed to recommend
the Change of Use as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items. Independence Park.
6. Items of Community Interest. None
7. Adjourn. Upon a motion made by Andrew Arizpe and a second by Cheletia Johnson,
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed
to adjourn the meeting 6:53 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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