03-23-2009 (Parks & Recreation) Minutes Parks and Recreation Board
- CITY OF WYLIE
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MINUTES
Monday,March 23,2009—6:30 pm
Wylie Municipal Complex—Council Chambers
2000 Highway 78 North
WORK SESSION
FOCUS GROUP MEETING-Parks Master Plan Discussion
Members of the City Staff and representatives from Half Architects met with representatives of various
sports leagues to discuss and gather input on the Wylie Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan.
Francois de Kock with Half&Associates led the presentation, asking three questions of those present:
"Imagine 20 years from now,what do you want Wylie to be known for?"The various representatives
of the sports leagues responded with wanting the vision to center around the needs of local youth, as well
as focusing on families. Some emphasized specific activities such as creating a bike-friendly atmosphere
with connected trails so that citizens could bicycle to work if they chose.Also, to keep up with facilities
and stay aggressive in order to meet the City's needs as it rapidly grows.Other needs included
developing a tournament-grade athletic complex and to develop youth sports to the point where Wylie
could begin hosting games.With the opening of the Recreation Center, it was the hope of the
representatives that participation for all uses and all ages be encouraged. Another suggestion entailed
transforming the Community Center into a place for tournament signups and become a one-stop source
for athletic-based information. The representatives emphasized that the paramount need was to be able
to serve the citizens well enough that they would not have to leave Wylie to enjoy amenities.
The next question presented by Mr. de Kock was:
"What is the vision of your one personal(as well as particular)organization?What outcomes do
you hope for the people that you represent,or for you and your family?"The vision was to improve
the quality of athletics to include beginners and inclusion of all youth, as this would build self-confidence
and an element of fraternity to the atmosphere. This would include disabled children, as the ideal picture
would be one that welcomed all and met the needs of all children. Emphasis was also placed on the fact
that all children deserved field time and that every child should have the opportunity to play. Another
suggestion was to create special programming for children that teach life lessons and/or learning how to
manage certain situations.
The third question was:
"How can the Parks& Recreation Department help you achieve that vision?Also,how can the
Park Master Plan becoming a living document that will help you directly or indirectly achieve your
goals?" Consensus was that grass infields for baseball fields were a strong desire, along with upgraded
restrooms.Also mentioned was the need for larger, more polished facilities with better lighted areas.
Another suggestion was to have the baseball fields closer, as they were considered remote. In addition to
upgrading the fields, it was the hope of the representative for the local lacrosse team that more visibility
be given to all leagues.A representative from the Dallas Open Road Bicycle Association said that if the
City would provide land, then the organization would provide a trail at no cost. Drill team representatives
expressed needing a place to practice that had restrooms available and perhaps a recreational facility for
indoor sports. Softball, basketball&volleyball representative Beverly Gunther said that at Founders Park,
where they currently play softball, they would like to have an area for concessions, a shade structure, a
pavilion for the playground and good restroom facilities, along with better signage to help citizens locate
parks. It was the consensus that the various sports teams have better communication and partnership
with the Wylie Independent School District in the future.
CALL.TO ORDER
Announce the presence of a Quorum.
Chairman Anne Hiney called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m.
Board Members present: Co-Chair Dan Chesnut, Brandi Lafleur, Donna Larson. Absent: Joy Cortinas, Benny
Jones and David Willey.
Staff members present: Parks & Recreation Superintendent Bill Nelson & Parks & Recreation Assistant
Superintendent Robert Diaz.
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Residents may address Council rega►dag an item that Is not itsled on the Agenda.Residents must provide their name and address.Council requests that comments be
limited to three(3)minutes.In addition,Council is not allowed to converse,deliberate or take action on any matter presented during citizen participation.
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Consider and act upon approving the Minutes from February 23, 2009.
Board Action:
Board Member Chesnut motioned to pass the February 23, 2009 minutes and Board Member Larson
seconded. A vote was taken and passed 4-0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
2. Update on consultant selection process for Community Park Improvements Project.
Board Discussion:
Parks Superintendent Bill Nelson reported that in late January, the Parks and Recreation Department sent out
requests for designwork qualifications at Community Park. Twelve firms submitted proposals. Public Services
Director Mike Sferra, Parks Superintendent Bill Nelson, Board Member Benny Jones and Board Member
Donna Larson served on the scoring committee, by which they selected five firms to give presentations on
March 11, 2009. This presentation yielded two remaining firms that will both give presentations to Council on
April 28, 2009; at that time, Council will award the project to one of the two firms.
3. Update on Olde City Park Improvement Project.
Board Discussion:
Aside from the restroom installation, which is still weeks away from being finished, the contractor is currently
hooking up the electricity and water to the restroom, as well as electricity for the light pole in the north parking
lot. Once the restroom is installed, the remaining concrete will be poured around the facility. All of the
sidewalks, decorative lighting, irrigation and hydro-mulching are complete at this time. The Veterans'
monument has a place set aside for its installation, but as of now, the members of the Veterans' organization
are still involved in the fund-raising process to pay for the monument.
4. Update on City Council Worksession regarding the Founders Park Expansion and Improvement Project.
Board Discussion:
The Parks & Recreation Department and Halff & Associates presented to Council the design for Founders
Park expansion. The initial additions were agreed upon, which included the sodding of baseball fields and
north soccer fields, a 10-feet wide concrete trail, realignment of the soccer field sidewalk, shading for
bleachers at softball fields and a pavilion with wrapped stone around the base. Council was amenable to
these ideas and also recommended that a sand-volleyball court and a basketball court be included. Halff &
Minutes—March 23,2009
Wylie Parks and Recreation Board
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Associates promised to incorporate these recommendations to the existing expansion design and
construction documents.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Board Member Larson to adjourn and Board Member Chesnut seconded the motion;
consensus of the Board was to adjourn. The Board adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
•
Anne Hiney,Chair
ATT ST:
bert Diaz,Assistant Superintendent
Minutes—March 23,2009
Wylie Parks and Recreation Board
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