HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Parks and Recreation Board - 1999 - 02/15 - RegularMINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR CALLED MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 1999 - 7 P.M.
PARB MEMBERS PRESENT
Jim Waldbauer, Chair
Anne Campbell, Secretary
Laurette Zamparelli
Cheri Jones
MEMBERS ABSENT
Mike Rippe
Kevin Pierce, Vice -Chair
Dan Turner
GUESTS PRESENT
Brian Bristow, Halff Associates
STAFF PRESENT
Don Horton, Director
Larry Kirk, Athletic Superintendent
Sandy McGowan, Recreation Superintendent
Sue Witkowski, Secretary
PRE -MEETING WORKSHOP:
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jim Waldbauer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
H. LEADERSHIP ALLEN CLASS PRESENTATION
Mr. Steve Mathews, representing the 1W Class of Leadership Allen,
presented a brief history of the Leadership Allen Program sponsored by
the Allen Chamber of Commerce, along with some of their past projects.
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 15, 1999
A sample of those are the Allen Arts Alliance, Heritage Guild, as well as
the support of the Half -Cent Sales Tax election in Allen Steve reported
that this class is proposing the re-creation of a train station in the
downtown Allen area. This facility could host such things as community
meetings, receptions, club meetings, as well as be a home for the
Heritage Guild. Meetings have been held with the Age of Steam
Railroad Museum of Dallas, regarding the possible relocation to Allen,
possibly to the Allen Station Park location being proposed by the Parks
Department. Mr. Mathews presented an elevation drawing by Joe
Barton King that showed the basic elements of the exterior and Mr
Mathews explained that the proposed building would be 2402 (2,000
sf), plus a small (300 so ticket office should the miniature train be
installed in the park
Don Horton explained that the building would be donated to the Parks
and Recreation Department upon completion. Laurette asked about the
cost estimates, and Mr Mathews said that the rough estimates were
coming in at about $100 sf, and that the Leadership Allen Class members
were making a presentation to the Allen Community Development
Corporation Board tonight requesting the required funding.
Jim Waldbauer indicated that it might be a good idea if the building
could be constructed with room for expansion in the future. Mr
Mathews said that was a consideration, but they want to be certain the
historical integrity of the facility would not be compromised in the
process.
III. QUESTIONS ON CURRENT AGENDA
No questions were brought forth at this time.
IV. OPEN FORUM
Alternative Transportation
Chairman Waldbauer suggested that this item should be
postponed until the next regular meeting of this Board, at which
time the "Bikeway Technical Assistance Project" could be
discussed.
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 15, 1999
IREGULAR MEETING
V. APPROVE MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 14, 1998, REGULAR
CALLED MEETING
MOTION: Laurette Zamparelli moved to approve the Minutes as
presented, Anne Campbell seconded, and the Motion
carried 4 for, 0 against.
VL PUBLIC HEARING: SEEK INPUT FROM RESIDENTS ON
PROPOSED ROWLETT CREEK MASTER PLAN
Chairman Jim Waldbauer welcomed the guests to the meeting, and
briefly reviewed the area to be discussed. Chairman Don Horton made a
brief presentation on the background of Rowlett Creek indicating that
this study had begun before the development of the Suncreek
subdivision. City Council has asked staff to take a look at the potential
parkland areas and uses along this creek. Don informed the guests that
the City currently owns 76 acres of forested land along this creek.
Don introduced Brian Bristow of Halff and Associates to the guests, and
indicated that Halff and Associates had been the firm hired in 1985 to
develop the Greenbelt Linear Park Study for the City of Allen.
Brian made a brief presentation to the guests, along with a slide show of
various views along Rowlett Creek. He indicated that his firm, along
with City staff has met with three families that own property along this
creek, as well as with Mr Joel Robuck, the developer of Suncreek.
It was pointed out that this will become a part of the trail system that
links Garland, Lake Lavon, Richardson, and Plano. One of the
tributaries north of McDermott will also go into Frisco and McKinney
Guests were reminded that the Collin County Open Space has a bond
issue on the current Collin County Program that would provide funding
for open space and could apply to some of this area.
Input and questions were invited from the guests, and following a brief
discussion on a possible day camp site, soft trail system, along with a
hard surface, on -street parking along Suncreek Blvd, and the general
consensus was very supportive of the proposed plan.
The following guests were present at this Public Meeting:
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 15, 1999
Joe Albert
Valerie Albert
Darrell Simmerman
Amy Monier
Lincoln Williams
Mary Rockenmeyer
Kathy Blahitka
Steve Braithwaite
Pam Braithwaite
Boyd Bain
VII. CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no citizens present wishing to speak to the Board at this
time.
VIII. AD-HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES/APPOINTMENTS
A. BRICK COMMITTEE
Since both members of this ad-hoc committee were absent for this
meeting, it was determined that this report would be postponed
until next regular meeting (March 8, 1999).
B. FIELD ENHANCEMENT
Don Horton gave a brief update to the Board indicating that Larry
had met with the Allen Sports Association, and they will be
bringing forth a list of projects. The Field Enhancement ad-hoc
committee will not meet until the projects have been proposed.
IX. DEPARTMENT/PROJECT UPDATES
A. ALLEN USA CELEBRATION
Sandy McGowan and Larry Kirk reviewed the June 26, 1999
plans with the Board, and requested that if any Board members
had ideas for entertainment, please get in touch with her She
also announced that the program would be moved from the
Bethany Lakes Amphitheater to Allen Station Park which will
accommodate a larger fire works show, as well as more on-site
parking. Sandy told the Board a tape had been prepared that
would be mailed to prospective sponsors delineating past shows.
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 15, 1999
Board members suggested the sale of t -shirts prior to the event,
especially children's sizes.
B. BOND COMMITTEE — KEVIN PIERCE
Don Horton reported that staff, along with Board Member, Kevin
Pierce had been meeting for the past 4-5 weeks on Wednesday
evenings About 22 residents have been participating on the
Parks and Recreation Subcommittee. Don reported that the
projects have been ranked, and those rankings very closely
followed what the Parks and Recreation Board had done
Don reported that the Athletic Complex ($7 1 million) has been
ranked as A-1, with A-2 being the retaining wall at Bolin Park
($150,000) and A-3 being the Phase II of Allen Station Park ($3
million). Don reported that currently, the natatorium has been
ranked A-7 and reminded the Board that this process will move to
City Council for further ranking of projects.
C. FINANCE COMMITTEE
Jim Waldbauer reported that he was the Chair of the Finance
Subcommittee for the upcoming bond program. Jim reported that
originally, the "wish list" totaled $120 million. He reported that
there were three scenarios the steering committee would be
forwarding to City Council for consideration: 1) No Tax
Increase, 2) Slight Tax Increase, and a 3) Larger Tax Increase.
Jim indicated that the subcommittee reports would be forwarded
to Council within the next four weeks.
D. LAND ACQUISITION
Don reported that the City was currently in the process of
purchasing the land for two Community Parks. The first would
be a 100 -acre park, which the City is negotiating with the
developer for pricing. The second would be a 55 -acre park site,
and both pieces of land are being funded by the Allen Community
Development Corporation Board.
E. COTTONWOOD CREEK BRIDGE
Don reported that the bids came in slightly over budget, but that
work would proceed ahead. He indicated that Tim Dentler had a
signed contract with the successful bidder, and that they have 120
days to put in the bridge. Don reminded the Board that the
bridge will be pre -fabricated off-site, and therefore, the residents
might not see any "on sight" work in the beginning stages.
i
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Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 15, 1999
X. REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Guidelines for the Use of Bethany Lakes Amphitheater
Allen Station Park Master Plan
XI. SELF-EVALUATION - Kevin Pierce
No self-evaluation was performed by the Board for this meeting.
XII. ITEMS OF INTEREST
Concert Series - Don announced that a series of 5-6 concerts were being
planned for the year, utilizing the amphitheater, as well as other locations in the
community Don also reported that the Allen Arts Alliance Board was making
their proposal to the Allen Community Development Corporation at their
meeting this evening for funding of this concert series.
It was determined that the Keep Allen Beautiful Board would be petitioned to
have the Parks and Recreation Board put on the agenda for their next regular
meeting, mainly to brainstorm on potential joint projects
Jim Waldbauer provided staff with a copy of the Letter to the Editor praising the
Parks and Recreation Maintenance staff member, Phil Lozano for his work.
XIII. ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 8" of March 1999
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J aldbauer, Chairman
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Anne Campbell, Secretary