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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Parks and Recreation Board - 1984 - 05/14 - RegularMINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR CALLED MEETING MAY 14, 1984, 7:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Workman, Chairman Bob Outman, Secretary Helen Johnson MEMBERS ABSENT: David Morgan Wayne Austin CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mark Thornton, Director of Parks and Recreation I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Workman called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. II. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes of March 27, 1984 MOTION: There was a motion made by Bob Outman and seconded by Helen Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried, 3 for 0 against. III. APPEARANCE BY CITY OF ALLEN MAYOR, DON RODENBAUGH Chairman Ron Workman began by commenting on the lack of strong communications between the Parks Board and City Council. He added that on behalf of the Board, he appreciated the effort being made by the Council and specifically Mayor Rodenbaugh to improve these communications. Mayor Don Rodenbaugh began by reconfirming the need for improved communications, reminding the Board to look forward for improved communications with the Council. Mayor Rodenbaugh stressed the Council's need to rely on the Board's input on present and future projects, including the recently approved Land Acquisition Policy, and the upcoming Rowlett Creek Study and Comprehensive Master Plan. Mayor Rodenbaugh offered his personal appreciation to the Board for the work accomplished on the Land Acquisition Policy and the Rowlett Creek Study. 20 PAGE 2 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES - REGULAR CALLED MEETING MAY 14, 1984 Bob Outman added that he was pleased to hear of the Council's approval on the Land Acquisition Policy and stressed the Board's feeling of urgency for Land Acquisition. Ron Workman requested information on how and when input should be given for the upcoming budget. Mayor Rodenbaugh informed the Board, the budget process was an ongoing process and input is helpful throughout the year. Mayor Rodenbaugh closed by thanking the Board for their time and extended an open invitation to the Board to come to the Council meetings and talk to the Council. IV. DIRECTORS REPORT A. Update on Ford Park Thornton informed the Board, the State had agreed to release $250,000 in support of the pool and bathhouse. On May 2 City Manager, Son McCarty, and Director, Mark Thornton, met with Tim Hogsett of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to discuss Ford Park and future funding. It was agreed that the City of Allen would receive the $250,000 with the additional amount to be negotiated as to when it would be available. B. Update on Land Acquisition Policy Thornton told the Board of the Council approval on May 3. City Staff was currently developing a procedure to implement the policy and also to work closely with the school in reviewing each development. C. Evaluation of Winter Damage After the severe winter in Allen. Thornton told the Board it has taken several months to determine the amount of damange which occurred. It appeared that approximately 50% of the turf on McDermott Soccer Fields had been lost due to weather and early soccer play. This area would be a major concern this summer to be ready for Fall Soccer. Other areas hard hit by the cold included Central Fire Station, Bethany Road Median, Reed Park, Hillside Park (netting) and Municipal Service Center. All areas will need replacement plant material, however, due to shortages many plants have not been replaced. 21 PAGE 3 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES - REGULAR CALLED MEETING MAY 14, 1984 V. ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION iii BOARD Chairman, Ron Workman, gave each member a copy of his annual Report, presented to the City Council on May 3. {This report is attached to these minutes.} v1. DISCUSS STAFF R VEST TO BEGIN STUDY ON SOLUTIONS TO RISING MAINTENANCE COST -S— "-- "` --- Director, Mark Thornton, presented a list of items which, during league play, should be tax supported and league supported. He also presented the totals spent during 1983 on organized activities which showed the amount the City probably could have saved or recovered through user fees. After brief discussion, Thornton requested the authority to form a committee, comprised of league representatives to study these costs and develop a solution to this problem. MOTION: There was a motion made by Bob Outman, and seconded by Helen Johnson to authorize the formation of a Committee to study user fees. The motion carried, 3 for 0 against. VII. DISCUSS ROWLETT CREEK ACTION PLAN STATUS Thornton informed the Board on the status of the Rowlett Creek Study. The City Council was to review the Committee Members and to approve the Action Plan at their upcoming meeting. Thornton added he hoped to have many of the proposed members contacted by the next meeting in June. VIII. ADJOURN There being no further business, MOTION: Bob Outman moved to adjourn, seconded by Helen Johnson. Motion carried, 3 for 0 against. These minutes approved as read this '/ # day of r 1984. Ron Wor n, airman Bob Outman, Secretary 22 REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARRS AND RECREATION BOARD --CITY OF ALLEN MAY 3, 1984 In accordance with the provisions of the City of Allen Ordinance Number 306, Section 4, Paragraph L, the third annual report of the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Program is submitted as follows: The past year has been one of continued growth and progress for the Parks and Recreation Programs and facilities of Allen. It has also been one of significant progress in planning for the future needs of the program as growth of the City proceeds. In addition, however, the past year has seen missed opportunities and the continuation of some of the problems of previous years. Athletic programs have enjoyed another very successful year. During the Spring Softball Season, six leagues were offered representing differing levels of ability and competi- tion, and served 34 teams and 576 individuals. The 1983 Fall Volleyball Leagues served 114 individuals on 9 teams. Ten teams representing 116 persons participated in basketball leagues. In addition to these city -sponsored leagues, facili- ties and upkeep were furnished to support ASA Leagues which served 500 participants for Spring Soccer, and 440 for Fall Soccer, and 590 for Baseball. The childrens' summer recreation program was improved by adopting a Day Camp format. The program was located in the Old Middle School Gym and served approximately 35 children 23 between the ages of 5 and 12. Activities included archery, arts and crafts, sports, films, and field trips. In addition, an open gym program was conducted to offer supervised rec- reation and games. The Department has continued to provide support for the Senior Citizens Organization and Senior Citizens Center which have become very popular. Approximately 55 active members participate in a variety of activities, including charity projects and field trips. These activities have been facilitated by the donation to the group of a 15 pas- senger van, for which insurance and gasoline also are donated. The van is used for transportation to the center for those who are unable to drive themselves, and to deliver meals to homebound participants. One of the most popular porgrams of the Senior Citizens Organization is the nutrition program sponsored by the Collin County Committee on Aging. This program provides lunch for persons 55 and over every Monday and Thursday at the Center. It also allows the homebound elderly to receive meals at their home. Approximately 55 people attend the Nutrition Program with about 9 people receiving meals in their homes. Growth and improvement of recreation facilities has continued during the past year. New soccer fields, located at the Municipal Complex were opened for use with the Fall 1983 Soccer Season, and have worked out very nicely. Interest has continued to be strong in neighborhood li playground -type facilities also. This interest was symbolized by the April Dedication of Reed Park, which was attended by 24 approximately 200 people. This was a very successful event which included hot dogs, soft drinks, games, balloons, and frisbees in addition to the Dedication Ceremonies. Plans and funding were approved for neighborhood playgrounds for the Rolling Hills and Walden Park neighborhoods. Construction started at Rolling Hills Before the end of the year, with Parks and Recreation Department employees providing most of the labor. This will result in significant cost savings for the Park, and provide for more efficient use of City Personnel. The effort to get the Rowlett Creek Corridor Study underway has continued to progress very slowly. This project is now in danger of being overtaken and rendered moot by the accomplished facts of development. The RFP for the study was completed and reviewed at a joint Park Board/P&Z Commission Meeting, and subsequently given informal approval by the City Council. Planning presently is underway to solicit participation of Allen Citizens and the development community in securing funding and providing direction for the study. The availability of facilities for baseball and softball play continues unchanged from last year. Hillside field remains under-utilized because of limitations presented by its location. Reed Park has limited value due to the absence of lights. Meanwhile the quality of programs continues to suffer because of the shortage of space, expecially for practice. This problem has been growing for two years and has yet to be effectively addressed. This situation will eventually lead to an eruption of public expression. 25 u L This situation will not be completely relieved by development of Ford Park. Growth of the baseball and softball programs will consume a major portion of this planned space by the time it is completed. This becomes more and more certain as Ford development continues to slip. The expected State Matching Funds for development of Ford Park have been delayed due to Federal and State budget reductions. This development has slipped a full year. A major portion of the effort of the Parks and Recreation Board during the last year has been devoted to development of a Parks Acquisition procedure. This is a very important step in the planning which is necessary to assure a quality parks program for the future. This procedure is intended to provide a blueprint for future park acquisitions and permit development of park and recreation facilities to match the growth of the City. It will define the different types of facilities proposed to serve various needs, quantify the requirements for each type, and establish standards for their respective location and development. The draft proposal, prepared by the Board after a period of study and research, will be presented soon for final approval. Council approval will denote completion of the most significant achievement of the past year, and the beginning of the most important challenge for the coming year. The parks acquisition procedure defines a truly outstanding parks program for the future of Allen, and this will require a certain financial commitment from the community. It is essential that adoption of this procedure includes recognition and acceptance of the costs involved. Budgets must realistically reflect these 26 costs, and procedures should be established to assure that funds are available as they are needed. In addition, and perhaps most difficult, it should be recognized that some expenditures may be required quite soon, especially in connection with sites for the proposed community parks. These are very important decisions which cannot wait long. Other important issues which need to be addressed in the coming year have been mentioned in this report, and in the reports for prior years. The continuing shortage of playing facilities for softball and baseball must be considered, and actions identified to meet the needs of these programs. The Rowlett Creek Corridor study must be pursued with a sense of timeliness. Efforts must continue to secure the State matching funds and begin development of Ford Park as soon as possible. The preceeding year has seen continued progress towards the goal we all share for an outstanding Parks and Recreation program. The opportunity is at hand for the creation of the kind of quality program Allen deserves. We must recognize the time limitations imposed by impending development activities, and move forward with a new sense of urgency to seize this opportunity. 27