05-08-2023 (Parks & Recreation) MinutesWylie Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting
Minutes
May 8, 2023 — 5:30 pm
Council Chambers - 300 Country Club Road, Building #100, Wylie, Texas 75098
IA/
CITY OF
WYLIE
CALL TO ORDER
Board Chair Kim Mullis called the regular meeting to order at 5:30 pm. The following Parks and
Recreation Board members were present: Board Member Brian Willeford, Board Member Craig Allen,
Board Member Nick Puente, Board Member Gerald Dyson, and Board Member Randall Zabojnik. Board
Vice -Chair Gloria Suarez was absent from the meeting.
Staff present included: Parks and Recreation Director Carmen Powlen, Assistant Parks and Recreation
Director Brent Stowers, and Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant II Janet Pieper.
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
No Citizens came forward.
REGULAR AGENDA
1. Consider and act upon approval of the March 13, 2023, Regular Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes.
Board Action
A motion was made by Board Member Willeford, seconded by Board Member Allen, to approve the
March 13, 2023, Regular Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes. A vote was taken, and the motion
passed 6-0, with Board Vice -Chair Gloria Suarez absent from the meeting.
2. Consider and act upon approval of the Non -Profit Park Event Application from Wylie
Independent School District (WISD) Council of PTAs representative Becky Welch, to hold the
"Back the Future" event at Olde City Park on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 5:00 pm to
7:00 pm.
Board Action
A motion was made by Board Member Willeford, seconded by Board Member Allen, to approve the Non -
Profit Park Event Application from Wylie Independent School District (WISD) Council of PTAs
representative Becky Welch, to hold the "Back the Future" event at Olde City Park on Saturday,
September 23, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-0, with Board
Vice -Chair Gloria Suarez absent from the meeting.
3. Consider and act upon approval of the Non -Profit Park Event Application from Connection
Point Church representative Megan Williams, to hold the "Run for the Fatherless 5K and Fun
Run" event at Founders Park on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
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May 8, 2023, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Board Action
A motion was made by Board Member Puente, seconded by Board Member Dyson, to approve the Non -
Profit Park Event Application from Connection Point Church representative Megan Williams, to hold the
"Run for the Fatherless 5K and Fun Run" event at Founders Park on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from
8:00 am to 12:00 pm. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-0, with Board Vice -Chair Gloria Suarez
absent from the meeting.
WORK SESSION
WS1. Ethiopian Soccer Tournament Discussion.
Staff Comments:
Assistant Director Brent Stowers reviewed the details regarding the upcoming Ethiopian Soccer
Tournament, hosted by the Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA.) The all -adult
tournament event dates are Sunday, July 2"d through Saturday, July 9t, and will take place primarily in
Founders Park, the Wylie Senior High School's Pirate Stadium, and the school's north parking lot. Most
of the tournament games will take place at the stadium, but three of the east fields at Founders Park will
also be utilized. The ESFNA has requested to include a firework show in Founders Park and a 5K run at
the Founders Park trail, but no final decisions have been made on either at this time. Mr. Stowers advised
that the league use at Founders Park will be off-season and field reservations closed during the
tournament event.
Board Comments:
Board Chair Mullis asked if the $100,000 donation from the City of Wylie to the ESFNA included the
City expenses associated with the tournament event. Mr. Stowers advised that the donation was in
addition to the anticipated expense to the City of Wylie. Ms. Mullis expressed concern about what the
field conditions will be like after so many games were played at the Founders Park athletic fields in such
a short time. Mr. Stowers advised that staff is preparing for field restoration after the event is over.
Board Member Dyson stated that he was advised that the number of attendees for the ESFNA event is
expected to be much higher than the association states. Mr. Stowers responded that the ESFNA decided to
scale down the event after seeing the actual size of the Wylie facilities they plan to utilize. Mr. Dyson
inquired about the anticipated tax revenue that could be generated by the tournament event, to which Mr.
Stowers responded has not yet been determined.
Board Member Zabojnik commented that large events like the ESFNA's do not typically scale back on
their annual events. He expressed concern that the City of Wylie's infrastructure will not accommodate an
event of that size and asked why the ESFNA chose to come to Wylie. Mr. Stowers advised that the
association has played tournaments in Texas in years past and that the ESFNA chose to host in Wylie
because one of the association's board members is a Wylie resident.
Board Member Allen asked if the participating vendors in the event are expected to acquire the typically
required event permits, such as food handling permits. Mr. Stowers responded that the permits would be
the responsibility of the Wylie Independent School since the vendors will be set up on school property.
Staff Comments:
Mr. Stowers advised that he will bring back additional details for the June Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting, which are expected to be more solidified by then.
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May 8, 2023, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes
WS2. Project Updates.
Staff Comments
Assistant Director Brent Stowers updated the board members on completed and ongoing departmental
projects. The six projects brought before Council for mid -year adjustments were all approved as
presented. Mr. Stowers added that funding for the mid -year adjustments would come from the 4B Tax
revenue and would not impact property taxes in Wylie.
Wylie City Council approved the additional $205,000 requested for the dog park project, which will allow
the completion of the entire conceptual plan, including 3 paddocks, agility equipment, pavilions, and
landscaping.
Wylie City Council approved the additional 1.27 million requested for the two splash pad projects,
allowing the completion of the entire conceptual plan. Staff is in the process of reviewing project bids for
both the dog park and the two splash pad projects and expects construction to begin within the next six
months, with an anticipated completion date of spring 2024.
Wylie City Council approved the requested $300,000 for the Community Park restroom project, which is
the replacement of the existing restroom with a new larger facility that better accommodates the addition
of the splash pad amenity.
Wylie City Council approved the requested $70,000 to transition one of the existing Community Park
basketball courts to a pickleball court. This project will include the necessary concrete for the court
expansion, court resurfacing, and fencing for the three courts. This project is expected to be completed
this summer.
Wylie City Council approved the request for $300,000 to build an outdoor restroom facility at the
Welcome Center at the Brown House. The outdoor restrooms will help accommodate future outdoor
event space.
Wylie City Council approved the request for one million dollars to renovate the west side athletic fields at
Founders Park. This will include upgraded irrigation, lighting, and new sod in the area. These fields will
primarily be utilized for football and multipurpose athletic use.
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Board Member Allen, seconded by Board Member Willeford, to adjourn the
meeting at 6:36 pm. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-0, with Board Vice -Chair Gloria Suarez
absent from the meeting.
Kim Mullis, Board Chair
ATTEST:
Janet Pieper, Administrative Assistant II
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May 8, 2023, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes