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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Parks and Recreation Board - 1985 - 02/25 - Special CalledMINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1985, 7:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ken Browning, Chairman Mickey Christakos, Vice -Chairman Harold Weaver Don Proeschel Gary Edstrom Clint Miller MEMBERS ABSENT• Helen Johnson CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mark Thornton, Director of Parks and Recreation I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ken Browning called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. II. REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TEENAGE RECREATION CENTER PROGRAM FOR ALLEN YOUTH Director Mark Thornton began the discussion by making a presentation on the proposed program. Thornton briefly discussed the program description, facility requirements, personnel requirements, and establish- ment of the Teen Center Advisory Council. Thornton also presented the budget which total operation for the end of fiscal year 1984-85 and for all of 1985-86. Total cost of the program would be approximately $18,200. Thornton pointed out two key primary items that the success of the program would depend. The first one would be the establishment of a Teenage Recreation Center Advisory Council. The Council would consist of teenage youth, the users of the Center, who would need to make recommendation to City Staff as to the programs and activities offered. The Advisory Councils direct responsibilities, would be to coordinate with City Staff activities of the Center. This, in fact, would give the responsibility of success to the users, themselves. The Advisory Council would be established by the Park Board with the authority from the City Council. �z C PAGE 2 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1985 The second important item in the program would be the Program Coordinator position. This position is currently within the City budget, however, is a temporary full time position. It is the recommenda- tion of staff that this position be reassigned to a permanent, part time position, with full time work during the summer, as needed. In order to give the Recreation Center the permanent status desired by the persons involved in the Clark Stevens Memorial Fund, staff recommends the establish- ment of a foundation in honor of Clark Stevens. The foundation will be a public agency foundation under the Parks and Recreation Department and would allow donors to receive the tax benefits of contributing to a public non-profit agency. The foundation could be expanded in the future to accommodate all contributions for the enhancement of teenage programs and activities offered in a permanent recreation center facility. It is also staff recommendation that the foundation be named the Clark Stevens Foundation in memory of Clark Stevens. Thornton pointed out that Mike Williams, who is heavily involved in working with the collection of the funds in the Clark Stevens fund that is now in tact, was in the audience for any questions. Board member Mickey Chiristakos, directed a question to Mike Williams asking his opinion of the program. Mike Williams responded, saying that he and the other members of the planning committee were excited that staff had adequately addressed their needs and desires. Williams also pointed out that when the City was brought into discussion of a recreation center that basically the committee gave Thornton a budget and a request to get something started as soon as possible. City staff had brought a program that was appealing and that was in the budget. Other questions directed about the program included the facility requirements. Thornton explained that in meetings with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Horn, the use of Reed Gym seemed to be the best possibility. Thornton also explained that in meetings with Dr. Horn, it was determined that a facility use agreement could be resolved in the future and that the school and the City could reach an agreement that would not only meet the City's expectat- ions, but the school district, as well. 78 C PAGE 3 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1985 Questions regarding the budget were also addressed, and the fact that the amount of contributed funds for the operation of the fund was approximately two thirds of the total budget. Because this is a City program, the City felt that we should cover the expense for personnel, because we would require a representative or employee of the City be present during the entire operation of the Recreation Center. After final discussion, MOTION: Gary Edstrom made a motion to approve the Teenage Recreation Center Program for Allen youth and recommend to Council that the program be approved in its entirety to include the establishment of the Clark Stevens Foundation, the establishment of the Teen- age Advisory Council and the change from temporary part-time, to permanent, part-time status for the position of Program Coordinator. Don Proeschel seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0. Thornton began by giving a brief overview of exactly what the Local Parks and Recreation Fund is. Thornton explained that Texas was one of the few States that had it's own 508 matching grant fund available for Parks and Recreation. These would be in addition to Federal Funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Thornton explained that Reed Park was purchased and developed with funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Also, the purchase of Ford Park and proposed construction of Ford Park was also funded 508 through this program. Thornton discussed the 1983 legislative session in which the Local Park Fund was in jeopardy of being set to expire at the end of September, 1983. However, the legislative session at that time determined that the Park Fund would remain in tact with one stipulation - that the funds for the next two years would be used in other areas of State government with the funds to be channeled back into the Local Park Fund beginning 79 E PAGE 9 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1985 September, 1985. Thornton added that the funds come from a .01C cigarette tax, with .01C on each pack of cigarettes sold in Texas and the fund generates approximately $18,000,000 to $20,000,000 a year. In further discussion, Thornton explained the reason this item appeared on the agenda and should be brought up for discussion by the Parks Board. The primary reason is that in unofficial discussions, the Local Parks Fund is in jeopardy once again. Thornton explained that Lt. Governor Bill Hobby in previous comments prior to the opening of the 1985 session had expressed the possibility of pushing toward diverting the funds into the funding for increasing pay for teachers of higher education. Because this fund is so important to Park and Recreation Departments and development throughout the State of Texas, it is up to the local boards, commissions, and councils to lobby against such action, and to allow the Parks Fund to be placed in permanent status and be used for the original intent for which it was established. Thornton passed out to the Board members, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of various elected officials from our region to include State Representatives, State Senator, Lt. Governor and Governor of Texas. Thornton urged each Board member to contact these officials on the list and express their concern as to the future of the Local Parks and Recreation Fund. Because of the fact that the timing is critical, Thornton also urged that a phone call may be more effective than a letter, however, both would probably be the best. In closing, Thornton told the Board that within the next few weeks, he would be sending out more detailed information concerning the Local Parks Fund so that the Board members would feel comfortable when discussing the Fund with their elected officials. !STlf;��FfiIi1;3J There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. These minutes approved as read this // - day of Lf X+ 1985. Ken 0116wning,(Chairman Helen Johnson, Secretary 8(