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05-05-1987 (Parks & Recreation) Minutes MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1987 The Parks & Recreation Board for the City of Wylie, Texas, met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 5, 1987 at 7:00 P. M. at the Community Room at 800 Thomas Street. Notice of the meeting had been posted for the time and in the manner required by law. Those present were Chairman Curtis Hale, Mr. John Morgan, Mrs. Peggy Sewell, Mr. Larry Nickell with Mr. Willie Benetiz coming in late. Representing the staff was Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager, Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works, Mr. Ken White, Parks Superintendent and Susan Marquardt, Secretary. Absent were Mrs. Jayne Chapman, and Mr. Morris Love. Chairman Curtis Hale called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. ITEM NO. 1 - APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Chairman Curtis Hale asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes. Hearing none, a motion was made by Mrs. Peggy Sewell to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion seconded by Mr. John Morgan. Motion carried 4-0. ITEM NO. 2 - CONSIDER APPROVING THE CITY OF WYLIE PARK MASTER PLAN PRIORITIES - Mr. John Morgan opened the discussion by asking the board to consider reducing the number of soccer fields from 100 to 30. Mr. Larry Nickell asked if we needed 30 fields right now? Mr. John Morgan replied, that we are fine right now. This is for the next twenty years. Chairman Curtis hale asked if the priority numbers were correct? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied, " yes", that the lowest average is the highest priority continuing down the list to the lowest priority which is the highest average. Chairman Curtis Hale asked if 60 baseball diamonds were okay? Mr. John Morgan asked to change the number of soccer fields to 50. Mr. Larry Nickell asked what the ultimate use is for this plan? Mr. John Morgan replied, " this is a long range plan for the next twenty years, a guideline for developing the parks. " Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked if the wilderness park was on the list? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied, " yes, the Lavon Dam/Campground. " Mrs. Peggy Sewell stated that she wished it was a higher priority. Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works stated that this is a recommendation to the City Council and their priorities may be different. Chairman Curtis Hale stated that I didn 't put it higher because I felt not everyone would use it. That 's something we could start on right away with little expense. The only thing that would be of expense is the manpower in clearing the area. Chairman Curtis Hale asked how many acres? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied, that it 's about the same size as the City Park. Chairman Curtis Hale asked, " if this becomes a city park, will it be under the jurisdiction and regulations of the City?" Mr. John Morgan replied, " yes" and the area is already being patrolled by our police department. Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked if it will always be available to us? Mr. John Morgan stated, that we would have to enter into a lease with the Corps of Engineer. The original idea was a place for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to go, where they wouldn 't have to worry about clearing it out, something to preserve it. The Boy Scouts may want to go in there and do some clearing. Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works stated that the Corp of Engineers will probably want a plan for the property before giving out a lease. Mrs. Peggy Sewell stated that she would hate to lose the opportunity of having a wilderness park. Mr. Larry Nickell asked what else could happen? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied that some other type of organization could have the same opportunity that the City has in getting the land. I don 't think it 's something that we have to rush out and talk to the City Council about. Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works asked Mr. John Morgan if 50 soccer fields were enough? Mr. John Morgan replied, " yes. " Mr. John Morgan made motion to approve the City of Wylie Park Master Plan Priorities with the exception of changing the number of soccer fields to 50 instead of 100. Mrs Peggy Sewell seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. ITEM NO 3 - DISCUSS LIGHTING OF BALLFIELDS- Motion was made to table this item by Mr. John Morgan. Mr. Larry Nickell seconded. Motion carried 4-0. ITEM NO 4 - CONSIDER AMENDING THE CURRENT PARK ORDINANCE 78- 18- Mr. John Morgan asked the board to consider amending the Parks Ordinance by adding an amendment that I have just passed out. Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager asked if it was interference with representatives of WSA? Mr. John Morgan replied that the only time we have really had a problem was a coupled of weeks ago. There is no ordinance covering his behavior. Mr. Larry Nickell asked if this is for the original ordinance, this doesn't mean we can make them leave? Mr. John Morgan replied, it will give the police authority to have that person removed from the park. Mr. John Morgan made motion to recommend to the City Council to add this amendment to the park ordinance. Larry Nichell seconded the Motion . Motion carried 5-0. ITEM NO. 5 - CONSIDER LIGHTING A SOCCER FIELD IN PARTICIPATION WITH WSA - Mr. John Morgan opened the discussion by asking Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager if changes could be made in the master plan for this park? Mr. Johnson, Acting City Manager replied, "yes. " Mr. John Morgan informed the board and staff that WSA needed a dedicated, lighted soccer field. We are currently being forced to play in the outer baseball fields. WSA would like to build a soccer/football field in the grassy flat area. The size would be 120 feet long and 50 yards wide. We would like to put up quartz lights, that 's 4 poles on each side. Mr. John Morgan also stated that WSA could raise the funds, with no expense to the City. However, WSA would like to get permission from the City Council before starting to raise the money. Mrs, Peggy Sewell asked if this supersede where the amphitheater was supposed to be? Mr. John Morgan replied, "it 's right on top of it. " Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked if there wasn ' t another area that could be used? Mr. John Morgan replied, "no, we 're running out of area. " Willie Benetiz asked if the area is just large enough for one field. Mr. John Morgan said, there is enough room for two, but right now we are just thinking about one. We would like to start building it this summer so that it can used this fall for soccer and football. Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked if there was any land on the other side of town, and didn 't the City Council approve our proposal for the ordinance which is relating to the developers? Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager, replied, "the ordinance has been approved, but all of the development has been started prior to the passing of the ordinance. Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked if this was a temporary measure? Mr. John Morgan replied, that it could be permanent, I just don ' t know. Chairman Curtis Hale asked if WSA could do this on their own? Mr. John Morgan replied, "yes, the materials are estimated at $3,000.00 with the labor free. " r7 Mr. Willie Benetiz made motion to approve WSA to have a lighted soccer/football field as we have discussed. Mr. Larry Nickel seconded. Motion carried 5-0. ITEM NO 6 - DISCUSS MAJOR PARK SITE FOR THE FUTURE - Chairman Curtis Hale opened the discussion that major park sites are going to be a direr need in the future, as Gus said, it would take a bond election to get it done. It needs to be on everyones mind. Mr. Willie Benetiz asked if there was any land for sale? Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager, informed the board of the land at Birmingham Farms. The land has been sold. The Savings and Loan Company would sell it to the developers. Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manger, showed different tracts of land from the master plan that would be developed in the future. He stated that the northeast area of the City was good property, but it has been plated and approved. However, if the developer doesn ' t build on it soon he will have to start the process all over again. Mr. Willie Benetiz asked, "in other words we couldn ' t acquire any land for at least a year?" Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manager, replied, if the economy picks up and developers start building. Mrs. Peggy Sewell stated that we need some good flat land. Mr. James Johnson, Acting City Manger stated that what is needed is a Master Plan to present to the City Council with trails, lights and etc. Chairman Curtis Hale stated that we need to discuss this from time to time so that we won 't forget. ITEM NO. 7 - CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - NONE. ITEM NO. B - GENERAL DISCUSSION - Mr. Willie Benetiz opened the general discussion stating that he has noticed vehicles parking on city park property and the City ordinance prohibits. I would like to see it stopped. Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied, that Ken White, Park Superintendent is in the process of putting up cable around the park to keep vehicles out the park area. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works asked that WSA speak to their people. Chairman Curtis Hale asked about the proposal on the soccer fields from Sherri Cox? Mr. John Morgan replied, this is something between WSA and the school. Chairman Curtis Hale asked how the circus went? Mr. John Morgan replied that they received $3300.00 in advance tickets. We had a real good turn out. Mrs. Peggy Sewell asked who the members are on this board; we are suppose to have nine according to this ordinance? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied that the Charter supersede this ordinance. Mr. Larry Nickell asked, " out of the $10,000.00 budgeted for parks, have we only used $2400.00 for bleachers?" Mr. John Morgan replied, "we have also had dirt taken out of the budget. " Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works stated that some of the money was used to rebuild the park road. Mr. Larry Nickell informed the board that several people had approached him about some basketball courts, which are very inexpensive. Mr. John Morgan stated that it could be discussed, but we could not make a motion on it because it was not on the agenda. He also stated that we could place two at the end of the parking lot. Mr. Bill Windahm stated that we could make the courts with the bomag machine with a 1 inch hot mix overlay, sealing it with dry Portland cement. Chairman Curtis Hale asked if this was inexpensive? Mr. Bill Windham, Director of Public Works replied, " compared to concrete, yes. " ITEM NO. 6 - ADJOURNMENT - Chairman Curtis Hale asked for motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. John Morgan made motion and seconded by Mr. Willie Benetiz. Motion carried 5-0. Curtis Hale, Chairman Parks & Recreation Board Respectfully submitted: Susan Marquardt, Secretary