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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Rec Advisory Board-Minutes-1/27/2015City of Colleyville Page 1 City of Colleyville City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Agenda City Hall 100 Main Street Colleyville, Texas 76034 817.503.1000 www.colleyville.com Tuesday, January 27, 2015 6:00 p.m. Colleyville Public Library 110 Main Street – Second Floor 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION 2a Presentation and discussion of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space component of the Comprehensive Plan 3. ADJOURNMENT I hereby certify this agenda was posted on City Hall bulletin boards Friday, January 23, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. Amy Shelley, TRMC City Secretary Any matter on this agenda may, at the discretion of the governing body, be opened for public comment and discussion. If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special accommodations, please advise the City Secretary at least 48 hours in advance at 817.503.1133, and reasonable accommodations will be made to assist you. City of Colleyville City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes City Hall 100 Main Street Colleyville, Texas 76034 817.503.1000 www.colleyville.com Tuesday, January 27, 2015 6:00 p.m. Colleyville Public Library 110 Main Street – Second Floor 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor David Kelly called the Joint City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession to order on January 27, 2015, at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Mayor David Kelly, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Taylor and Councilmembers Carol Wollin, Chuck Mogged, Chris Putnam, Jody Short, and Tom Hart were present. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Leti Carson, Charles Bethards, and Michelle McGarry were also present. City Manager Jennifer Fadden, Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Terry Leake, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Chris Fuller, Public Works Director Bob Lowry, City Engineer Jeremy Hutt, Parks Manager James Hubbard, Library and Recreation Director Mary Rodne, Recreation and City Events Manager Lisa Escobedo, and City Secretary Amy Shelley were present. Absent: Parks and Recreation Advisory Boardmembers Nancy Coplen, David Hays, Ken Llewellyn, Ajit Purandare, and Hillary Schwanbeck 2. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION 2a Presentation and discussion of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space component of the Comprehensive Plan Parks Manager James Hubbard gave an overview of this item and introduced Jim Carillo, project manager, Halff and Associates, to present the Parks, Recreation and Open Space component of the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Putnam asked Mr. Carillo if adult recreation programs were surveyed or desired. Mr. Carillo replied the survey was broad in terms of recreation programs, not specifically adult. Councilmember Mogged asked if there is a solution to have additional practice fields and open play areas, since it does not appear to be on the list. Mr. Carillo stated it could be that this is a park specific survey, but it did not get to that level in detail. Councilmember Mogged stated coaches are still contacting him that they would like additional practice facilities. City of Colleyville Page 1 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Mayor Kelly asked staff if something was added for the McDonwell trail connection. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied it is included in the draft of the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Mogged stated connectivity to some of the neighborhood cities is important. He asked staff about the costs, downside, or the problem with keeping the Little Bear Creek trail on the system for connectivity. Manager Hubbard stated he does not have a cost proposal on the construction for this trail. He stated there are some sidewalks and trails available for access. He stated it can certainly be considered. Councilmember Mogged stated this one seems to be a huge benefit. Mayor Kelly stated the trail can be left on the plan. Mr. Carillo stated a footnote could be added for possible alternative routes. All concurred to leave it on the plan. Councilmember Short stated there is useful connection to City Park from Timberline; however, a 10 foot wide trail does not make sense in this quiet neighborhood. Manager Hubbard concurred, and stated these are not hard and fast lines for the system, but more for helping to create the mobility. He stated the width of the trails have previously been recommended; however, in moving forward staff would like a width range to be recommended which may allow for trees or right-of-way constraints. Councilmember Hart stated it would provide more flexibility at the City Council level. Councilmember Short stated he would like some connection made; however, not 10 feet in width. He stated basically the west end is being “punched” out, somehow, to the Cotton Belt Trail. Boardmember Bethards stated not understanding why the trails are considered important, but then they are being removed from the plan. Mayor Kelly stated it does not make any sense to require developers to put in trails that are going to be a dead end. Councilmember Short stated he would prefer it be noted or characterized as a driveway approach to a private trail, rather than a dead-end trail. He said it is connecting a public trail system to a private trail system. He stated we want people on the private trails to have access to the public trails. Mayor Kelly asked why not have the people on the public trail have access to the private trail. Councilmember Putnam stated not if those HOAs or neighbors do not want the connectivity. Mayor Kelly stated there needs to be some clarification given in the plan to address this issue within the open communities versus the gated communities. Councilmember Putnam stated currently there is no question of ownership of those properties. Mayor Kelly agreed. City of Colleyville Page 2 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Mayor Kelly stated but sometimes the streets are public, but the trails are private. Councilmember Short stated research would have to be done to determine which ones were required to be constructed. Councilmember Putnam stated if there is no question about the ownership of those properties, today, he stated he would not be comfortable compelling the HOAs to open up their private trail system. Councilmember Mogged stated some neighborhoods, such as Woodland Hills, have gates to access the trails, which are then only accessible to those residents; even though the neighborhood itself is not gated. Mayor Kelly stated in these instances, those HOAs or residents want a public system connection to their private trail; therefore, public funds are spent to complete the connection, yet, they will not allow the public access to their trail. Councilmember Putnam stated that is a fair assessment. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated maybe there has not been an awareness that those trails were required or drawn into the Master Plan, with pedestrian access throughout the City. Mayor Kelly stated it is his hope that these neighborhoods, with private trails, would see the benefit of overall community connectivity. Councilmember Putnam asked how we ask those neighborhoods to open up their trail system to the public. Councilmember Short stated it is a matter of how it is asked, such as, “can we provide a connectivity from your trail system to the public trail system?” He stated the answer may be a “yes.” Mayor Kelly stated there may be no point, if they say the public cannot access the trail system. Boardmember Carson stated the approach may be to tell the HOAs that they have to build the connection. Mayor Kelly stated most are constructed on private property; however, they are required to give us a trail easement. Boardmember Carson asked staff if there would be a problem if an HOA approached and said they would like to construct the trail to provide the connectivity. Manager Hubbard replied the City could not grant access on private property for the HOA to do so; it would have to be something the HOA worked out with the property owner. Boardmember Carson asked staff if some of these connectivity problems could be solved by having bike paths on the street. Manager Hubbard replied that is one solution; however some streets are very narrow and striping of the bike lane could be problematic. He stated bikes are allowed to currently use the streets by Texas law. City of Colleyville Page 3 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Mayor Kelly stated he would be in favor of some type of “qualifier” that if public partnerships are available, those should be worked out. Mr. Carillo stated those would be tagged a little different. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated the trail system has been a vision, and a general guideline used for connectivity, which helps when making decisions on the placement of trails, so that trails are not situated between homes like in alley ways. He stated we are becoming more pedestrian oriented, and this will help the future generations in making these decisions. Mr. Carillo concurred. Councilmember Putnam stated it is about practicality. He stated we do not control all of this property. He stated the 2011 plan fundamentally assumes connectivity is being solved by trails. He stated there should be as many trails that can be built, provided we are not taking someone’s property rights. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated the mindset has changed over time; whereas, Monticello might change their mind, and over time future citizens may want something different. He stated those barriers drop as changes are made for generations. Councilmember Putnam asked how you make that change. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated you do not make them change, it becomes their desire to want it. He stated the funding is more of an issue than anything. He stated some of this is seen in the survey. Councilmember Putnam stated he just wants sidewalks and trails that connect. He stated if we can make the connectivity in at least ten areas, then that needs to become the focus. Mr. Carillo stated it seems that there is a desire to have partnerships with the HOAs. All concurred. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated he is most focused on how the system gets people to the retail centers in the Oak Knoll area. Councilmembers Mogged and Wollin stated schools as well. Councilmember Short asked staff if the City has any obligation to maintain Little Bear Creek, or do the homeowners have lead control over that. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied the property line goes to the center line of the creek. Mayor Kelly suggested making a listing of Level 1 or 2 type trails. He stated the Level 1 type trail could be listed as “easier” to do; and Level 2 type trail could be listed as “more difficult” to complete. Manager Hubbard agreed. Mayor Kelly stated this may be of benefit when making priorities. City of Colleyville Page 4 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 City Manager Jennifer Fadden stated there will need to be some direction, as the plan relates to development. She stated the current plan allows the City to require trail construction as part of development. She stated if we leave trails on the plan as “maybes,” what then becomes the trigger for development? Mayor Kelly stated those triggers would remain, in terms of the required construction; however, in terms of the City putting in a trail, it may not rank as high due to the use of City assets or funding. Councilmember Mogged stated he believed in three types: 1) for a City asset, then yes; 2) in the event of development, it is required; 3) it is not required, it is more of a thought or plan. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated there is a difference in the developer constructing versus the homeowner constructing the trail. Councilmember Putnam stated there is really a fourth type to be used for redevelopment when individual lots are purchased and developed. He stated those cases need to be addressed separately. He stated he concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, in that commercial or residential developers should be required to construct those trails. All concurred with the connection from John McCain Road to Colleyville Boulevard. Mayor Kelly stated Tinker Road has some redevelopment. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied there is no trail required. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated sidewalks are a part of the trail system, especially since 10 foot trails cannot be built everywhere. He stated the trails are meant for the major corridor areas in which the sidewalks would then tie into those trails. All concurred with the Tinker Road extension to Colleyville Boulevard. Mayor Kelly stated there should be some sidewalk, either on one side or the other , on Bedford Road, especially when the roundabout is completed at Bedford Road from Cheek-Sparger Road to Glade Road. Councilmember Wollin concurred and stated the bridge may create a challenge, but something needs to be added for connectivity. Boardmember Bethards stated he thought Sparger Park was the busiest park in the City and therefore, it should have connectivity. Mayor Kelly asked staff if there will be a trail on L.D. Lockett Road for the Heron Pond development. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied the trail is not currently on the plan; therefore, a five foot sidewalk will be constructed, or the developer could escrow the funds. City of Colleyville Page 5 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Mayor Kelly asked if a connection from Bransford Road to Central Drive would be good for the connection to the Pleasant Run Road trail. City Manager Jennifer Fadden stated there is currently a gate on Central Drive, which was built with The Village development. Councilmember Short asked staff about the attendance line for the Bransford Elementary School. City Manager Jennifer Fadden stated the line is Central Drive. Mayor Kelly stated there are trails/sidewalks south of City Park on Bransford Road to the elementary school. Councilmember Mogged stated the Bransford Road trail could be considered; however, it seems the trail system is weighted more on the northwest side of Colleyville Boulevard. Mayor Kelly stated some roadways have sidewalks on both sides, such as Hall- Johnson Road. Overall, everyone agreed a Bransford Road trail would be good to have on the map. Mayor Kelly stated there are sidewalks on the west side for about 40 percent, at least the southern part of McDonwell; therefore, some connectivity currently exists. He stated the connection will happen, eventually, with new development. Mayor Kelly asked staff if the trail is on this map, will it be required to be constructed. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied if it is on this map, a trail would be required, whereas currently, no trail is required, just a sidewalk. Councilmember Short stated Westcoat, south of White Drive is not currently on the Master Thoroughfare Plan; therefore, riding a bike on that street is not a big deal. Mayor Kelly stated this area is a redevelopment area in which either we want the developer to construct the trail, or the homeowner would have to construct it. Councilmember Putnam stated there are several newer homes already constructed in this area, and there will not be an opportunity to connect. Councilmember Short stated there is a connection within Remington Park to the public trail system. City Manager Jennifer Fadden concurred, and stated it connects at Van Oaks. Councilmember Putnam stated it would be nice to have a cleaner access south of Remington Park to the Cotton Belt Trail. He stated there is not a safe access, especially since you have to cross L.D. Lockett Road. City of Colleyville Page 6 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Councilmember Short stated access from Remington Park to the L.D. Lockett Park would be good. Councilmember Mogged stated in this instance, the sidewalks do play a part in the connectivity to trails. Mayor Kelly stated it may be helpful to see an overlay of the maps with the current sidewalk system to show the gaps within the system; everyone concurred. Councilmember Mogged stated connectivity from the Cotton Belt Trail, on the north end, would be good too. Councilmember Short questioned Mr. Carillo regarding if it is as hard to get a trail across the railroad tracks as it is to get a street across the tracks. Mr. Carillo replied they are really no different; the connection from John McCain Road where it does currently cross is incredibly important to get the connection. Mr. Carillo added there could be bridges and overpasses added. Mayor Kelly stated DART owns the right-of-way, and they are who we would have to work with to accomplish the crossing. Councilmember Short questioned staff regarding if CEDC funds could be utilized for something like this. City Manager Jennifer Fadden replied parks, the Library, and Colleyville Center are the allowable uses for those funds. Councilmember Mogged questioned staff regarding if the hotel tax could be used for these instances. City Manager Jennifer Fadden stated not knowing the exact uses for such at this time, but there may be an indirect use to consider. Boardmember Carson stated she would be interested in seeing the maps with the overlay of the current sidewalk system. She asked what is gained by getting rid of possible park designations on the plan. Mayor Kelly stated those that may never be built, would be the ones to eliminate. He stated if this is to be considered a working document, it does not make sense to keep items in the plan that may never be done. Boardmember Carson stated she struggles with the idea of setting aside land that could possibly be developed. Councilmember Hart stated it is not setting aside land, it is simply designated a use on the map. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor added the Senior Center property is a prime example of this. He stated there will be other opportunities that pop up in which we will try and acquire. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated we are pretty good with the ratios with population, with acreage per capita relative to park systems. He stated there is still work to be done. City of Colleyville Page 7 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 Mayor Kelly stated the right-of-way may have to be purchased in order to put in the trail system; however, redevelopment provides an opportunity for connection. Boardmember Carson stated it makes sense to remove those that really do not or will not connect. Mayor Kelly stated we would leave the ones that have an opportunity for future connection in the plan. Boardmember Bethards asked if the land around the Senior Center is going to be made into a park. Mayor Kelly stated it is used as a park, but not designated with a specialty purpose. He stated there may be some outside assets added to it, depending on the future plans for the Senior Center. Councilmember Hart stated the Senior Center and the Fire Station on Pool Road came together about the same time and then provided for that connectivity. Boardmember Bethards stated he believed a park included a playground. Councilmember Hart stated he would like to see a community garden there. Councilmember Mogged stated it would be nice for the neighborhoods across from the Fire Station on Pool Road, to be able to get back to that open space area and park. He stated some connectivity in this area would be nice to consider. Mr. Carillo agreed. Chairmember McGarry asked staff if the planned trails are definite. Manager Hubbard replied those are currently planned per the 2011 Parks Master Plan. Mayor Kelly added some are being worked on currently, and others are works in progress. Board member Carson stated we may want to address the objective to become “the environmental leader.” Mayor Kelly stated it should be worded to be “an” environmental leader, since what does “the” mean. Boardmember Carson agreed. Mr. Carillo stated the overall vision, sustainability was an overall goal of that. He agreed with the clarification of “the” versus “an” and the need for a distinction. Councilmember Short stated there appears to be a connectivity gap that will need to be clarified in the Whittier Heights subdivision. Mr. Carillo marked the exhibit to clarify. Councilmember Mogged stated even though we are frugal, that does not mean we cannot do things to be distinctive, such as land markers, trees, or other features. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor stated we do not want to be so rigid and so confining that there is no room for flexibility. He stated the guidance and road map should be there to help with the maturing of the community. Councilmember Wollin stated her key word is flexibility; the trails should be in keeping with the surrounding area. City of Colleyville Page 8 City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Joint Worksession Minutes January 27, 2015 3. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Kelly adjourned the worksession at 7:50 p.m. APPROVED BY A VOTE OF 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, AND 0 ABSTENTIONS ON THIS THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY 2015. Minutes taken and prepared by: Amy Shelley, TRMC City Secretary City of Colleyville Page 9