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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Parks and Recreation Board - 1993 - 09/20 - RegularI MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR CALLED MEETING SEPTEMBER 20. 1993 - 7:30 P.M. Tom Clark, Chairman Lonnie Thomas, Vice -Chairman Jim Waldbauer, Secretary Frank Maitland Ross Obermeyer Byron Nielsen MEMBERS ABSENT E7 Ray Galloway Reed Bennett Mark Anderson Julia Charles Jeff Kacines Glenn and Elana Hollmuller STAFF PRESENT Rhoda Savage, Director of Parks and Recreation Sue Witkowski, Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m., by Chairman, Tom Clark. PAGE 2 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING { SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 H. ITEMS OF INFORMATION A. Citizens Comments Chairman Tom Clark invited any citizens wishing to speak to the Parks and Recreation Board to do so at this time. Mr. Jeff Kacines of 743 Whitman Drive, Allen, spoke to the Board regarding his concern that the land in Ford Park (west) was to be considered as a site for the Allen recreation center. Some of his major concerns involved heavy traffic increase to Whitman, a street already somewhat congested. He felt the location at Park Place and Whitman Drive (northeast corner) would be a site that would offer more flexibility. Mr. Glenn Hollmuller of 104 Jasmine Court, Allen, spoke to the Board regarding his concerns for field conditions at Ford Park (soccer fields). Glenn presented the Board members with photos taken primarily of it Ford #3. He was concerned over large cracks, holes, and sparse grass coverage at this facility He indicated that a referee for the women's soccer club had declared the field unsafe for them to play on and canceled their game. The following Sunday, Ford #2 was hand prepared by the women and their families prior to a game. The opposing teams were from out of town, and Glenn was concerned with their image of Allen as well as the fields being in an unsafe condition. Glenn indicated that as of September 11, 1993, there was not an adult - sized field in Allen that was safe to play soccer on. Ms. Julia Charles of 770 Whitman Place, Allen, spoke to the Board regarding her concerns regarding the possible location of the Allen recreation Center. She indicated that Whitman Drive was not a well- planned street, and that with the curve in it, it offers poor visibility and is already dangerous during certain busy times of the day She also indicated her concern over the possible increase in foot -traffic as well as vehicular traffic. Her property backs up to the greenbelt area, and she is already experiencing a high vandalism rate behind her home. She feels the recreation center would bring an even greater rate of vandalism to the area. �i PAGE 3 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 Mr. Mark Anderson (moving to Allen October 10), of 749 Whitman Drive, spoke to the Board regarding his concerns for the possible placement of a recreation center at Ford Park (west). Mr. Anderson felt the area was over -saturated as a focal point for traffic without the addition of another attraction to this area. With a major school, pool, tennis courts, softball fields, tennis courts, etc already in the immediate area, he felt the other subdivisions in Allen deserve a share of the amenities and should be considered. He felt the area under consideration should remain an open space to compliment the greenbelt area already in place. Lonnie Thomas indicated that with only $1.2 million dollars available for the recreation center, (both for the purchase of land and construction of a facility), it might become necessary to look at land already owned by the City of Allen rather than having to purchase another site. ■J Mr. and Mrs. Reed Bennett of 747 Whitman Drive, Allen, also spoke it to the Board regarding the recreation center placement. On -street parking was a major concern, as well as the area already being over- saturated with recreation areas. He felt other areas of Allen should also be considered as possible sites for the recreation center. B. Update on the Allen Recreation Center Program Development Rhoda Savage reported that she had listened to the tapes from the City Council Meeting on September 16, 1993, and that Lonnie, Ross and Ron Hobbs, Architect, had done an excellent job presenting the Executive Summary of the Survey to the Council. She invited Lonnie to review that with the Board and provided the Board members along with guests a copy of the summary. Lonnie Thomas gave a brief background on the process such as who was surveyed, along with how that was accomplished. He pointed out that overwhelmingly, user fees were favored versus additional taxation to fund the programs at the recreation center. Also, the survey results indicated support for the following activities: ■ 75% for social gatherings ■ 57% for meetings PAGE 4 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 55% aerobics/exercise 53 % arts and crafts The following summary portion of the report was emphasized to the Board members: Citizen input was gathered using a questionnaire designed by City staff. Groups of citizens who received the questionnaires were from various sub -groups: active voters, those selected at random; special interest groups, ASA Executive Board, Community Education Advisory Council, the Allen Senior Citizens; City Board, Commission and Council members; and citizens at large who attended a Public Workshop on the Recreation Center. Additional information collected by the Community Education Advisory Council Teen Center Committee was provided as input from Allen youths. A very broad and representative group of individuals provided it input. Use of the available data will help develop a recreation facility for maximal use by citizens. By analyzing the survey results using Pollstart, a software package designed for statistically measuring public input, it was determined that the majority of respondents were interested in and willing to pay fees for social gatherings, meetings, aerobics/exercise, and arts and crafts. The main variable that caused substantial differences in survey responses was gender. Most survey respondents were female. Females were highly interested in social gatherings, meetings, aerobics/exercise, and arts and crafts. Both genders were interested in aerobics/exercise, socials and meetings. Higher percentages of male versus female respondents were interested in games, weight training, basketball, racquetball and volleyball. Allen youths shared an interest in activities similar to those supported by male respondents and those reflected in City survey respondent's written comments. Youths, as were male respondents to the City survey, were interested in games, basketball, and weight training. Youths also supported the comments of City survey respondents. PAGE 5 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 The most popular response of City survey respondents was an interest in an indoor pool and teen facility. Teens were interested primarily in a pool and secondary interest in miscellaneous teen activities. Overall, it appears that the highest level of interest by all respondents in the City survey was in social gatherings and meetings. There was an overwhelming interest in an indoor pool and site for teen activities (i.e., Friday Night Live, etc) by all respondents in both surveys. The following recommendation was made by staff and accepted by Council members: Staff and the Council appointed committee recommend the City Council accept the information provided in the Executive Summary We request Council approval to use the survey data to help develop the facilities program for Council approval at their next regular meeting. Staff requests the existing committee continue to I work with the architect for the duration of the facility design process. Lonnie reminded the Board that Ron Hobbs, Architect, has designed approximately 18 recreation center in the metroplex area and has very good insight into what our needs may be. He will consider zoning, traffic impact to area, community needs, survey results, as well as staff input. Ross and Lonnie will be reporting to the Board on a regular basis regarding the progression of plans for the recreation center. C. Update on Country Meadows Park Rhoda informed the Board that a contract had been entered into with SVA Concrete, to do the playgrounds at Country Meadows Park. The company from whom the playgrounds were ordered is in Missouri, and the City has been notified that due to excessive rains, the playgrounds will be shipped in approximately 6 weeks. The picnic tables are assembled and will be placed in the park when the playgrounds are being installed. I A I PAGE 6 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 III. ITEMS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION Approve Minutes from August 10, and August 17, 1993 Park Board Meetings. MOTION: Ross moved to accept the minutes as presented, and Lonnie Thomas seconded the motion. The motion carried, 6 for, 0 against. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. These minutes read and approved this 11th day of October, 1993. Chairman ecretary