Min - Parks and Recreation Board - 1997 - 10/13 - RegularMINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR CALLED MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997 - 7:30 P.M.
PARR MEMBERS PRESENT
Mark Stout, Vice -Chairman
Mike Rippe, Secretary
Ann Campbell
Cheri Jones
Dan Turner
Kevin Pierce
Laurette Zamparelli
IMEMBERS ABSENT
None
GUESTS PRESENT
Jim Waldbauer
Rich Elder, Resident
STAFF PRESENT
Don Horton, Director of Parks and Recreation
Larry Kirk, Program Coordinator
Tim Dentler, Park Superintendent
Sandy McGowan, Special Activities Coordinator
Sue Witkowski, Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7.30 p.m., by Vice -Chairman, Mark Stout.
PAGE 2
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997
II. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Chairman
MOTION: Chert Jones nominated Mark Stout for the office of Park
Board Chairman, Kevin Pierce seconded, the Motion
carried 7 for, 0 against.
B. Vice -Chairman
MOTION: Dan Turner nominated Mike Rippe for the office of Park
Board Vice -Chairman, Anne Campbell seconded, the
Motion carried 7 for, 0 against.
C. Secretary
MOTION: Cheri Jones nominated Anne Campbell for the office of
Park Board Secretary, Kevin Pierce seconded, the Motion
carried 7 for, 0 against.
III. CITIZENS COMMENTS
Former Board Chairman, Jim Waldbauer took the opportunity to thank the
Board and staff for their support during the past seven years during his tenure
on the Parks and Recreation Board.
IV. APPROVE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 11, 1997, REGULAR CALLED
MEETING
MOTION: Anne Campbell moved to accept the Minutes as corrected and
Cheri Jones seconded. The Motion carried 7 for, 0 against.
V. REQUEST BY RICH ELDER, REPRESENTING ALLEN YOUTH
SOCCER ASSOCIATION, TO APPEAR
Mr. Rich Elder introduced himself to the Board and thanked them for their time
PAGE 3
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997
and provided them a copy of information he has presented to the Allen
Community Development Corporation Board, as well as the Allen City Council.
Mr. Elder requested the Board keep the needs of soccer participants uppermost
in their minds while planning for future facilities in Allen. Mr Elder provided
the Board with statistical information, ideas for the financing, along with his
impression of McKinney soccer facilities, compared to the soccer facilities in
Allen. Chairman Stout assured Mr. Elder that the Parks and Recreation
Department would be looking at a soccer complex and the acquisition of land in
the near future.
VI. ACCREDITATION PROCESS
A. Ethics Statement
Director, Don Horton gave the Board a brief overview of the
accreditation process being offered by the National Recreation and Park
Association (NAPA). He indicated that he would be looking for support
as well as input from the Board, and felt the process would be most
worthwhile both to the staff and the City of Allen. Don recommended
that 1-2 people from the Board be appointed to work with the department
staff and bring a draft "Ethics Statement" to the Board at the Regular
Meeting in November Kevin Pierce and Mark Stout volunteered to
work on this process.
B. Goals and Objectives
Don reported that Larry Kirk was compiling a list of Goals and
Objectives submitted to him by the department staff. These Goals and
Objectives will then become a major portion of the submission to NRPA
for Accreditation.
C. Comprehensive Plan Update
Don also provided the Board with a copy of Ordinance No. 1393-1-96
along with "Exhibit A" which is an Amendment to the Parks and
Recreation Section of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan. Don informed the
Board that the Comprehensive Surveys were mailed to a randomly
selected group of Allen citizens, and that data is now being analyzed by
the Department of Community Development. Don asked that the Board
review the document between now and the next meeting, and he would
PAGE 4
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997
plan to have an updated version ready for the Board to consider. He also
referenced the Board to the Goals listed in this document.
VII. 1997-98 BUDGET
Don referenced the Board to the packet enclosures dealing with the Budget and
gave a brief review of the Operational Budget versus the Enterprise Budget.
When asked by the Board if there were any major disappointments in this years
budget, Don responded that he and staff were concerned with the staffing of
Allen Station Park, and the high expectations associated with the maintenance of
that facility He indicated staff would be assessing other responsibilities and
shifting personnel as well as equipment to that facility
VIII. CEMETERY - PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS
Don provide the Board with a brief history on the City of Allen Cemetery, and
the operation of that property He indicated that the City is responsible for
selling gravesites, overseeing the maintenance of the facility, as well as
managing the funds being placed in an interest bearing account for permanent
upkeep of the facility After surveying surrounding cemeteries, it was
determined that the City of Allen Cemetery gravesites, priced at $125 ($100
going to the City of Allen, and $25 going to the Cemetery Endowment Fund)
per gravesite, was by far the lowest in the vicinity The next closest one was in
Plano at a "not for profit" cemetery which sells their gravesites for $600. Don
is asking City Council to raise the prices of the gravesites in the Cemetery to
$600 ($150 going to the City of Allen, and $450 going to the Cemetery
Endowment Fund). Don also provided the Board with a copy of the rules and
regulations that govern the operation of the Allen Cemetery
MOTION: Mike Rippe moved to recommend City Council accept the
proposed fees as brought forward, and Laurelle Zamparelli
seconded, the Motion carried, 7 for, 0 against.
IX. EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
Don indicated a desire on the part of the Recreation Center Staff to have more
'j City of Allen Employees participate in activities at the center. He indicated that
with the newly acquired equipment installed and ready for operation the first week
PAGE 5
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997
of November, it might be a great time to offer free memberships to City of Allen
Employees (not their families) in an effort to promote better health. Following a
brief discussion the Board members felt it was a plan that should be pursued and
taken to Council for approval.
MOTION: Dan Turner moved to recommend the proposal to City Council for
adoption. Anne Campbell seconded.
Mike Rippe amended the Motion to include the consideration of
City of Allen Boards Members, Commissioners, and City Council
Members in the proposal for free memberships to the Recreation
Center. Dan Turner seconded, and the Motion carried 7 for, 0
against.
X. HAUNTED TRAILS
Sandy McGowan reported that the Haunted Trail event for 1997 was moving
along as planned. The dates is October 25, and advertising has begun with the
back of the Fall Brochure, Allen Image as well as banners, newspaper
advertising, etc. She briefly reviewed the plans for the evening, and shared her
enthusiasm for this event with the Board.
XI. TRAPS SEMINAR
Board members were reminded of the TRAPS 1997 Region V and VI
Conference in Grapevine, Texas on Friday, November 14
XII. UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Tim Dealer provided the Board with a brief update on the Neighborhood
Upgrades, along with the progress f construction on Allen Station Park. He
indicated he is still very pleased with the quality of construction being
performed, and feels the rainy weather might have caused a slight delay, but that
they will be back on schedule very soon. The sod is schedule to be laid one
week from today, and November and December will be used for detailing the
facility The Soccer fields have been seeded, as well as overseeded with rye
grass which should provide a playing surface for the spring.
PAGE 6
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 1997
XIII. TRAPS AWARD SUBMISSIONS
Don provided the Board with a copy of the TRAPS Award being submitted for
Sandy McGowan and the Celebrate Allen Event. He indicated that the awards
would be announced during the luncheon that the Board is scheduled to attend in
Grapevine on November 13' Everyone looks forward to bringing the award
back to Allen following that luncheon.
XIV. ITEMS OF INTEREST
Chairman Mark Stout reported that it was time to set up a workshop to study the
structure of the Board, subcommittees, policies, etc. It was suggested that this
workshop be held on November 17, 6 p.m., in lieu of the regular Board meeting
that would have been held November 10. This would allow the Board to attend
the Grapevine training session prior to the local workshop.
Board asked to mark their calendars regarding December 3, 1997, 7 p.m. Board
and Commission Appreciation Dinner. Invitations will be mailed in November.
XV. ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9.10 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 8" day of December, 1997
Mark Stout, Chairman Anne Campbell, Secretary
L