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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Rec Advisory Board-Minutes-12/6/1993 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 6,1993 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Alan Linford called the meeting to order at 6:10 P.M. on Monday, December 6, 1993. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Alan Linford, Yvonne Hatton, Chuck Walton, Mike Billings, Pat Horn, Paul Vigiletti; Skip Keller, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, Sharon Curry, Recreation Supervisor ABSENT: Jack Hartnett INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUEST Chairman Linford introduced new Assistant City Manager Jan Belcher who briefed the Board on her background and stated she was looking forward to working with the Board and staff. APPROVAL OF MINUTES PAT HORN MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE NOVEMBER 1, 1993 MINUTES TO REFLECT THE PRESENCE OF JACK HARTNETT AND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED. MIKE BILLINGS SECONDED THE AMENDMENT AND MOTION WHICH CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF DONATION POLICY Chairman Linford stated the policy had been drafted based on the Board's previous discussions. Item #7 was amended to read "..The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board may accept all other donations. At the Board's discretion donations may be forwarded to the City Council for final approval." Item #11 was amended to read "A permanent location may be designated in each park site where donations will be recognized with the item donated, the name of the donor and the date." Item #12 was amended to read "Press releases may be issued..." PAT HORN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICY AS AMENDED. YVONNE HATTON SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 6, 1993 Page 2... DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF PLANS FOR DEDICATION OF THE COLLEYVILLE NATURE CENTER. Skip Keller reported the Colleyville Nature Center should be finished by the end of the month. He suggested February 26 as a possible grand opening date. This would allow ample time for final clean up and finishing touches. Pat Horn suggested outgoing Park Board members be recognized at the ceremony. NO ACTION TAKEN DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF SIGN FOR CITY PARK ANNEX Skip Keller reported the City Manager has requested a uniform sign design for parks throughout the city. He recommended working with the Chamber Beautification committee to sponsor a contest for the sign design with divisions ranging between 1 st grade and professionals and having nice prizes and cash to get nice designs. Board members agreed key elements, common throughout the park system, would give uniformity and identity. Mr. Keller will report back at the next meeting. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF LIGHTING AT PLEASANT RUN SOCCER FIELDS Board members discussed the continuing problem of lighting at the Pleasant Run Soccer Fields. Board members agreed they have failed to be able to work out a solution after many meetings and compromises between Mr. Scott and the soccer association. As an advisory board they have gone way out to bring the two parties together. Utilizing only three banks of lights has created numerous safety hazards for players and created the potential for injury. Safety issues are a major concern. There have been confrontations with Mr. Scott which almost come to blows a few times over use of the southeast bank of lights. Members agreed that the City Council, as final arbitrator in these type situations, review the situation and make a final determination. Skip Keller made a recommendation that an ordinance be passed by the City Council limiting lighting in all city park facilities to coincide with the park curfew ordinance. CHUCK WALTON MADE A MOTION TO SEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE ISSUE OF THE LIGHTING WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE EXISTING PARK CLOSING ORDINANCE TO COINCIDE TIMEWISE WITH THE EXISTING ORDINANCE. PAUL VIGILETTI SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 6, 1993 Page 3... Mike Gordy addressed the Board and presented a letter stating the Association's needs for the coming year. He also requested the City consider amending the current leash law to prohibit pets altogether at city parks during game days. He has had numerous requests from parents asking to ban pets in the parks because of the number of kids there during sporting events and the uncertainty of how pets and children will react. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF UTILIZING VOLUNTARY PARK FUND FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SECURITY LIGHTING AT KIDSVlllE Staff presented pictures of proposed security lighting for Kidsville. The Board agreed to funding security lighting from the Voluntary Park Fund, however asked staff to present other possibilities and cost estimates at the next meeting. TABLED FOR FURTHER STUDY DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF YOUTH SPORTS USER FEES Youth Sports Association Representatives: Fred Parrish, '93 Football President Mike McElaney, 94 Football President Mike Grace, American Eagles Soccer Mike Gordy, Colleyville Soccer Assoc. James Taylor, Baseball Dan Eisner, Baseball Bill Carrol, Softball Alan Linford briefed the Board on the background of the user fee. The City Council has passed the budget with the concept of the fee and passed it back to the board for their comments and recommendation. Association comments were as follows: James Taylor: Work with other Boards to come up with a solution before passing the fee on to the kids; unfair tD pass on to kids. They are trying to draw the kids back; revenues are down; it is easy to go someplace else where the fees are lower; has talked with the Rangers and they will help support some type of fundraising effort. "Together we are stronger than apart". ($70 per player) Mike Gordy: Not in favor of working together, their association strongly opposes the fee, citizens pay taxes for services and it is unfair and inappropriate to pay more because their children may use the parks more than other children; will continue to work with city and board to improve the Pleasant Run facility; does not feel they should be out soliciting money to cover the shortfall in the city budget ($45 per player) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 6, 1993 Page 4... Dan Eisner: Agree with James, feel strongly that reduces incentive for volunteers, add fee parents and coaches think fields should be taken care of; don't give impression fee will take place of parents Fred Parrish: Football using limited amount of facilities for practice, games moved to CMS; space has decreased over time; they will loose a significant number of kids with user fee; competing with Keller, Grapevine, Coppell, it is difficult to pay more for less ($80 per player) Mike Grace: 60-70% of American Eagles non residents; already pay $10 more; don't add more' will hit select program hard; already costs $4-500 per season Mike Gordy: concerns over money going to general fund; will cost CSA $15-20,000 per year and have no say; wants input on use of fees; have no control; want control; against concept of taxing kids Bill Carroll: concerns with accountability; accounting; what will they see back? better fields, ready on time, maintained well? look at alternative ways to fund programs; sponsorship sign in lieu of user fee? ($50 per player) The consensus of Board members opposed the user fee; taxes kids without others; need alternatives although they don't want less service; community as a whole benefits when kids are involved. PAT HORN MADE A MOTION TO OPPOSE THE ADDITIONAL $10 REVENUE FOR ATHLETES AND TO STRONGLY OPPOSE A REDUCTION IN SERVICES IN ORDER TO ACCOUNT FOR $35,000 BUDGET SHORTFALL. CHUCK WALTON SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. UPDATE ON PARK AND RECREATION PROJECTS Sharon Curry updated the Board on the Recreation Programs stating classes are going well; basketball season is beginning with 46 teams and close to 400 players; reported and new instructional league is being formed for Kindergartners and will update at the next meeting. Paul Vigiletti reported the community center committee will receive a final draft at the next meeting; being designed for the future; expressed concerns that no park department staff was represented on the committee. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes of December 6, 1993 Page 5... Mike Billings and Yvonne Hatton reported Kidsville was highly successful; members are meeting at 9 AM every Saturday to finish up 16 picnic tables and encouraged everyone to come out and help. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, MIKE BILLINGS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:00 P.M. CHUCK WALTON SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE.