Loading...
02-12-2024 (Parks & Recreation) Minutes7 Wylie Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes %A1 February 12, 2024 — 5:30 pm fN Council Chambers - 300 Country Club Road, Building # 100, Wylie, Texas 75098 CITY OF WYLI E CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Beaux Dyson called the regular meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. The following Parks and Recreation Board members were present: Board Vice Chair Gloria Suarez, Board Member Kim Mullis, Board Member Nick Puente, and Board Member Scott Hevel. Board Member Craig Allen and Board Member Brian Arnold were absent from the meeting. Staff present included Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Brent Stowers, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Janet Pieper, and Parks and Recreation Supervisor Annika Sacco. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS No citizens came forward. REGULAR AGENDA 1. Consider and act upon approval of the January 8, 2024, Regular Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes. Board Action A motion was made by Board Member Mullis, seconded by Board Member Hevel, to approve the January 8, 2024, Regular Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-0 with Board Member Allen and Board Member Arnold absent from the meeting. 2. Consider and act upon approval of the Texas Therapeutic Riding Center's 1st Annual Coco Trot Fun Run/5K at Founders Park from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 11, 2024. Board Action A motion was made by Board Vice Chair Suarez, seconded by Board Member Puente, to approve the Texas Therapeutic Riding Center's I st Annual Coco Trot Fun Run/5K at Founders Park from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 11, 2024. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-0 with Board Member Allen and Board Member Arnold absent from the meeting. 3. Consider and act upon approval of the Heat Elite Sports Club "Bring the Heat Flag Football Tournament" at Community Park from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 14, 2024. Board Action A motion was made by Board Member Puente, seconded by Board Member Mullis, to approve the Heat Elite Sports Club "Bring the Heat Flag Football Tournament" at Community Park from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 14, 2024, contingent upon receipt of the organization's 5016 document. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-0 with Board Member Allen and Board Member Arnold absent from the meeting. February 12, 2024, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 WORK SESSION WS1. Welcome Center at the Brown House Mission, Vision, Values. Parks and Recreation Supervisor Annika Sacco advised that the Welcome Center at the Brown House currently consists of a merchandise shop, ongoing rotations of Victorian and historical exhibits, occasional programming, and information brochure offerings of local interests. The house also serves as a hub for several city -sponsored and co -sponsored events that take place in downtown Wylie. Challenges include poor visibility of the house from the main downtown area, limited parking areas, no firm identity for the location, excessive traffic due to a busy four-way intersection nearby, a closed floorplan with only 1,500 square feet on the main floor, and ongoing maintenance complications due to the historical age and requirements of the house. Ms. Sacco added that an ongoing and incomplete study on a potential change to the downtown infrastructure as a whole has also hindered plans for the house. Ms. Sacco explained that departmental staff is working to define the Mission, Vision, and Values for the Welcome Center at the Brown House facility. To do this, staff are gathering data from stakeholders, including the Wylie Historical Society, Parks and Recreation Board Members, City Council Members, and City staff. Ms. Sacco addressed the Board with three questions requesting input from each attending member: Staff Comments Question 1: What problems does the Welcome Center at the Brown House solve for the city, and what needs are met by having this facility? Board Comments Board Vice Chair Suarez liked what the house currently offers citizens. She noted that improvements need to be made to the current infrastructure and roads in the downtown area to add more amenities that could potentially draw in the community. Board Member Puente stated that the downtown area needs better traffic flow. Board Member Hevel commented that we have a unique downtown area centrally located with visual and historical appeal. Board Member Mullis said that the Welcome Center at the Brown House is beneficial to new residents and visitors of Wylie but that it needed to be better promoted. Board Member Dyson called the Welcome Center at the Brown House an anchor for citizens to find local history and opportunities. Staff Comments Question 2: What do you want Brown House to be known for? Board Comments Board Vice Chair Suarez referred to the facility as a landmark and said it should continue to operate as is. Board Member Puente agreed with Board Vice Chair Gloria Suarez that it should continue as is. Board Member Hevel stated the house should continue to be the central hub for downtown events. Page 2 of 4 February 12, 2024, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes Board Member Mullis commented that it should continue to be a historical landmark for visitors and residents. Board Member Dyson wants to see the facility continue as is representing as a main hub to the city. Staff Comments Question 3: What do customers say we are best known for? Board Comments Board Vice Chair Suarez stated that the center is best known as a historically preserved landmark for City -sponsored events. Board Member Nick Puente best remembered the facility wherein Wylie High School students, himself included, attended the traditional senior student tea party. He added that he would like to see this tradition renewed along with the addition of area class field trips. Board Member Hevel said that the house is simply a fun place to be due to all of the activities hosted at that location. Board Member Mullis believes that it is best known as a location for hosting great community events that bring people together. Board Member Dyson commented that the facility participates as a permanent fixture during seasonal events making itself a presence in all of them. WS2. Project Updates. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Brent Stowers provided updates on the department's current and future projects. The dog park construction is complete except for a few punch list items remaining for the contractor to address and the standard accessibility inspection for ADA compliance. The Prairie Tails Dog Park had a successful grand opening event on January 1 I with several citizens, Board Members, Council Members, and staff in attendance. The Senior Recreation Center renovation project is nearing completion with punch list items to address, carpet reinstallation in some of the areas, and the certificate of occupancy inspection. The facility's dining area will be opened for the late February, March, and April elections. The reopening date of the Senior Recreation Center has not yet been determined. The Welcome Center at the Brown House foundation work is complete. Staff is in process of obtaining contractor quotes for some exterior repairs and whole -house repainting. The selection of paint color must be approved by the Wylie Historical Society, with final approval from the City Council. The Founders Park field renovation project continues on the three athletic fields located on the park's northwest side. Staff are working with FEC to get power to the new irrigation pump. Most of the irrigation piping has been run and zoned, and the fields are being laser -graded with new topsoil. The splash pad projects at Community Park and the East Meadow areas are ongoing. The splash pads have been formed up for concrete, and the recirculating tanks are being installed underground this week at Page 3 of 4 February 12, 2024, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes both sites. Electrical work began last month and will be ready for inspection by Encore by the end of the week. The upcoming phase two playground project at Community Park is estimated to begin on March 18, and construction of the new Pirate Cove playground at Founders Park is to begin on April 1, weather permitting. Both playground projects will include the installation of rubber -based poured -in -place surfacing. WS2. Program Updates. Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Janet Pieper reviewed updates on departmental programs. The Praire Tails Dog Park grand opening was on January 11"' and was well attended by citizens, Parks and Recreation Board Members, City Council Members, and staff. Nearly 200 novelty items were passed out to attendees during the event. The Easter Bunny Hop is scheduled for March 23`d from 10:30 am to 1 1:30 am with registration being nearly full. Summer Camp registration opens on March 1s', and early registration discounts will be available as advertised. Parents Night has been a successful offering with two more scheduled dates upcoming. January Wellness Month wrapped up with over 200 people who participated. The Welcome Center at the Brown House has put up new displays for patrons, and staff will participate during the City - sponsored Pedal Car Race on May 5th by offering a bounce house for the kids as well as home tours. The Parks and Recreation Board Tour is scheduled for March 23'd from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Board Members are encouraged to contact Ms. Pieper with their intent to attend. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Board Member Mullis, seconded by Board Member Hevel, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-0 with Board Member Allen and Board mber Arnold absent from the meeting. ___1? ___1 ATTEST: en, a aux Dy nd Chair - ��� Janet Pieper, Administrative Assistant Page 4 of 4 February 12, 2024, Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting Minutes