Min - Parks and Recreation Board - 1984 - 01/09 - RegularMINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR CALLED MEETING
JANUARY 9, 1984 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Helen Johnson
David Morgan
Ron Workman
Bob Outman (arrived at 7:45)
Wayne Austin (arrived at 8:10)
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Mark Thornton, Director of Parks and Recreation
Trey Goodman, Recreation Supervisor
I. Call to Order.
The regular called meeting of the Parks and Recreation
Board was called to order by Chairman Workman at 7:42 p.m.
II. Approval of Consent Agenda.
Workman called to question the approval of the Consent
Agenda. The Board voted 3-0 to approve the Consent Agenda.
III. Director's Report.
Rolling Hills Update.
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Thornton, informed
the Board of the progress on construction of Rolling
Hills Park. Thornton stated that all concrete work
had been finished and the picnic tables and trash
receptacles were in place. Excavation work is scheduled
to begin on January 10, 1984. Trees will be picked out
personally by the Director and shipped to Allen as soon
as possible. Discussion then focused on the six foot
cedar fence which Thornton explained would run east
to west along the property line on the north end of
the park. There was a question as to whether the
posts for the fence should be made of wood or metal.
Thornton explained that wood would be just as sturdy
as metal as long as a hole was left at the bottom of
the concrete anchor, to allow the water to run out of
the wood post. This would prevent the post from rotting.
Thornton then informed the Board that approximately $6,370
had been spent on construction thus far and another
$7,500 could be expected to be spent. Thornton also
stated that a slide program on the various stages of
development of Rolling Hills will be presented at the
next regular called meeting.
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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR CALLED MEETING
JANUARY 9, 1984
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B. Recreational Leagues.
Thornton informed the Board that volleyball has ended
and basketball was currently underway at the Old Middle
School Gym. Approximately 8 mens open teams and 4
mens church teams had signed up for basketball. Board
member Helen Johnson asked if Reed Gym had been con-
sidered as a site for men's basketball. Thornton
explained that Reed had been considered but that a
lack of availability and the chance that league play
could be "bumped" to another location at any time,
had caused the decision to play at the Old Middle
School Gym.
Thornton stated that the foul ball nets at the Hillside
Ball Parks had sustained damage from the ice in December
and that a Condor Lift was needed to repair the nets.
Thornton said that the lift costs approximately $200
per day to rent.
C. Country Meadow Park Dedication.
Thornton informed the Board that final plat was
approved for the Country Meadows Development but that
the proposed park dedication was not included in the
first phase. It is expected to appear in the later
phases, however.
Update on Willard Baker Co. Proposed Development in
West Allen.
Thornton explained to the Board that he had met with
two representatives from the Willard Baker Company on
January 9, 1984. Current plans of the company are to
develop a private golf course along both sides of
Rowlett Creek. Thornton advised the Board that the
Willard Baker Company still had no intention of allowing
public access across the property along Rowlett Creek.
Thornton informed the company that this would be
unacceptable. There was concern on behalf of the Board
that if the current plat was approved, then the Rowlett
Creek Corridor Study would be obstructed and possibly
unbeneficial. Thornton further explained that the
Willard Baker Company would like to present the pro-
posed plat to the Board. Chairman Workman stated
that it would not be acceptable in its present form
so there would be no need in reviewing the plan. He
added that there would be no need to submit any future
plans regarding this problem unless Thornton felt there
might be a chance that the Board will consider a workable
solution.
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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR CALLED MEETING
JANUARY 9, 1984
III. Director's Report (cont.)
The topic then changed to vandalism and the problems it
causes at Reed Park. Workman suggested that some type of
reward fund for information leading to the discovery of
those individuals involved in vandalism in any city park
be started. Johnson added that a meeting with Ed Stevens
of the Allen Police Department might prove beneficial in
beginning a Park Watch Program, due to his experience in
working with the Neighborhood Watch Program.
IV. Rowlett Creek Committee Structure.
Workman opened by stated that not much had happend in the
preliminary stages of committee development, since the last
meeting due to the holiday schedule. Thornton submitted
to the Board for approval, the charges and responsibilities
of the Rowlett Creek Committee. Board Member David Morgan,
suggested substituting the word "proposal" for the word
"bid." Morgan commented that it is unlawful to select
a firm on a bidding basis. It must be selected by the pro-
posals submitted.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by David Morgan and seconded
by Wayne Austin, the Board voted 5-0 to accept
the charges and responsibilities of the Rowlett
Creek Committee with some word changes. The
motion carried.
V. Preliminary Draft of the Land Acquisition Policy.
Thornton presented the Board with a preliminary draft of
the Land Acquisition Policy. Thornton selectively read
from the Policy and noted the four main objectives of the
Policy as being the location of park sites, size in respect
to population, number of sites throughout the city, and
the procedures of acquisition.
Thornton explained that the current city thoroughfare
plan was considered in creating 16 planning districts and
4 community districts throughout the city. Each of the
16 planning districts would be a separate unit and have
individual needs according to the population and density
of that district. Each of the planning districts would
contain the smaller neighborhood parks. The community
districts would he much larger as the city is cut into
4 spearate units. These districts would contain the
larger community parks. A list of acres of parkland
per 1,000 population was given for each type of parkland.
Using this information, the total acres of parkland needed
for an expected total population could be tabulated.
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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES - REGULAR CALLED MEETING
JANUARY 9, 1984
Workman stated that one of the figures, 1.0 acres per
1,000 persons of special use area, was too small. Thornton
explained that this was a minimum and not necessarily the
optimum requirement.
Thornton informed the Board that if all the flood plain
were utilized, then there would be approximately 1350+
acres of Greenbelt park space, some of which could
have limited development. Further, if the total pop-
ulation of Allen were to reach the maximum expected, then
there would be approximately 13.11 acres per 1,000 persons
of greenbelt area. Utilizing utility easements in order
to increase this figure was mentioned.
Morgan was concerned on whether or not the population pre-
diction would be accurate enough to base these figures on
but it was explained that the figures were flexible, should
the population projections change.
Thornton asked for a special called meeting to discuss the
proposed policy after the Board had a chance to review the
handouts. January 30th was set as the date for the meeting.
E Thornton stated that he would have a preliminary set of
procedures ready for the special called meeting.
In closing, Mr. Thornton read to the Board a section from
the mandatory dedication ordinance of Carrolton, Texas.
There being no further business:
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Wayne Austin and seconded
by Bob Outman, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn
the regular called meeting. The motion carried.
THESE MINUTES APPROVED THE /3 DAY OF i1 1984.
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