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09-01-1988 (Parks & Recreation) Minutes PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 1 . 1988 The City of Wylie Park and Recreation Board met in regular session on Thursday, September 1st, 1988 in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Complex. A quorum was present and notice of the meeting had been posted in the time and manner required by law. Those present were Chairman D. F. Whitlow, Vice Chairman Ron Ferguson. Board Members Joanie Zeeb and Jill Tomek. Public Works Superintendent Don White, and Secretary Lisa Keith. Board Members John Smyder , Bill Emsoff . and Jim Ferguson were absent. John Smyder telephoned in advance and excused himself from the meeting. Chairman Whitlow called the meeting to order . APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 4TH AND AUGUST 23RD MEETINGS: D. F. Whitlow and Joanie Zeeb recommended some changes be made on the minutes for both meetings. Joanie Zeeb motioned to approve the minutes to include the recommended changes. Seconded by Jill Tomek, with all in favor . PRESENTATION BY BETTY STEPHENS WISD: Betty Stephens introduced herself and said the school system hopes that the City and school can work together towards whatever is best for the community. Ms . Stephens informed the members that she is in public information and the Community Director. She explained that their purpose is to open the facilities for community use. After the normal school session is out the doors are open to the entire community, covering all age groups. Community education is an important part of the community. They offer classes for Fall , Winter , and Spring sessions. The instructors are highly qualified. Over 1200 people have participated in classes this year . They also sponsor a gold card club for citizens over 65 years of age, at no charge. and entitles them to free admission to all school sponsored activities . One senior citizen is awarded Senior Citizen of the Year , based on their contribution to community support. Betty Stephens said she is responsible for scheduling all WSA basketball activities . O 0 Mr . Whitlow told Ms. Stephens that the Park Board invited her to the meeting to figure out the best way we can cooperate, and how to create additional joint programs. We need to know the schools criteria to get some of our ideas into programs. We also need to know how flexible the school is to new ideas . Betty Stephens said until last summer there wasn' t much community interest in summer activities. Ron Ferguson said in the past WISD offered tuition based programs, arts and crafts, languages. and computer programs. The first summer only 15 families participated and the second summer only 19. The break even point was much higher than that. Jill Tomek said at that time Wylie was really growing with new families moving in, they were more involved in getting settled. Ron Ferguson said I disagree, the problem is money. Betty Stephens said we are convinced that there is an interest now. We want to get it going, but we want to do it right. We will have to work together discussing every aspect of all the needs. Everyone must have a positive attitude. and the programs need to be very strong. Betty Stephens said we send questionaires home with the students on the community needs. We have gotten good response. Jill Tomek said it' s also a good idea to insert a questionaire in with the water bills . Betty Stephens said it' s a good idea to take a survey before making arrangements for programs to find out exactly what the community wants . D. F. Whitlow said basketball camps draw participation. Pepsi sponsors these all over the metroplex . The one in Plano drew about 200 kids. To bring this into Wylie would be great. We can submit a request to be put on their list, but there is a cost factor involved. We need to leverage the basketball program. How flexible is the school system on a basketball program? Betty Stephens said we have talked about this before. The Athletic Director is willing to work with the athletic department in working with summer church camps for summer . Mr . Whitlow said we need to look at innovative programs. Grants are available for doing unusual things with programs. Betty Stephens said the only days open for additional activities are Wednesday night and Sunday. WISD does not want to create any controversy with the church organizations. We would have better luck with Wednesday rather than Sunday. Mr. Whitlow said we are just trying to look out for the youth and senior citizens and we need to get all organizations together that want to be involved. 1 Betty Stephens said if you want to recommend a program for next summer , get with me and we will discuss it. I hope we can talk about it and get something going. But there are a few expenses to consider, air conditioning, full time employee, electricity, etc. Mr . Whitlow said we have an unofficial agreement with YMCA taking over the sports programs for the youth, and explained that WISD would have to work with the YMCA. Betty Stephens said it' s a good idea to only work with one or the other. I have no problem working with them. Mr. Whitlow said we just ail want to work together as a team. Betty Stephens said WISD is especially happy to see the YMCA here, they offer summer activities where we are unable to. We want to support them, but at the same time we don ' t need to have duplicated activities. The Board Members discussed YMCA ' s programs and procedures with Betty Stephens. Betty Stephens said let me know when it is best for all of us involved to meet. I appreciate you inviting me here tonight and look forward to getting to know you better . More good than anything will come out of things like this. DISCUSSION OF INTERPERSONAL SCHEDULES : Mr. Whitlow said we needed to discuss this so that everyone can attend the meetings. Don White said the regular session needed to remain on a Thursday night because the calendar is full with other board meetings. but it didn' t have to be the first Thursday of the month. Some Board Members discussed changing the time from 7 :00 P. M. to 7: 15 P. M. or 7 :30 P. M. 7 : 00 P. M. makes it difficult for some members to get to the meetings on time. Mr. Whitlow told Board Members if their personal schedule interfered with the next scheduled meeting to voice it at the prior meeting and we would try and make the appropriate changes so that it will fit into everyones schedule. DISCUSSION OF THE PARK MASTER PLAN: Mr. Whitlow distributed a map, provided by the City, to all Board Members present. and explained that the map layout included the City of Wylie, Lake Lavon, existing Parks, and designated Park areas. Don White stated, John Pitstick wanted me to inform you that he thinks it would be best for the Park Board to work with what we already have at this point. a492' Joanie Zeeb instructed the Board Members to mark on their maps the Equestrian Trail which starts at Brockdale Park and runs all the way to Eastfork Park. and is nine miles long. There are gates at both ends that horses can get through and it is also for hiking. It is a really nice dirt trail that is maintained mostly by volunteers. Don White informed the Board Members that we may wind up with another small park adjacent to Glen Knoll Mobil Home Park. The owner of the mobil home park has said he may donate swing sets and some other items for this park. if it works out. Joanie Zeeb said we need to zone about 50 feet along the creek beds of Muddy Creek and Rush Creek to prevent development and erosion. Jill Tomek said the City will probably fight us and say it' s too small for a park and the City will have to maintain it. Ron Ferguson said creek bed areas are considered green belts and doesn' t have to be maintained. Don White said the Stone Grove addition has already been put in but maybe you can get a zoning change before the second phase begins . Mr. White said you will have to approach P & Z for rezoning and tell them your recommendations . You have to catch it before the developer does anything with it. Claim the land and tell P & Z what you want. Mr . Whitlow said he would find out what information the Board has to have before approaching P & Z. DISCUSSION OF YMCA PARTICIPATION: Board Members agreed to delay discussion of this order of business until John Pitstick is present. DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY PARK SWIMMING POOL: Don White stated, Council is still thinking about a pool . When we borrow the money for the land fill , they may ask for an additional $100, 000 for putting in a pool in the Spring of 89. Hopefully this will cover the cost of the pool , fencing, pumps. showers , concession area, and locker rooms. Joanie Zeeb said if we have a summer pool we will only have three months of revenues and will take a long time to pay back the money. Jill Tomek said it might be a good idea to ask people to donate $1 . 00 with every water bill remittance to help pay off the pool . Mr. Whitlow said we need to discuss the design of the pool . It needs to be designed in a way that it is sports and family orientated. Don White said I believe John Pitstick has the preliminary figures on the pool cost. Q1 Betty Stephens said the Park Board would have to talk to the School Board. Park Board Members were in agreement of approaching the School Board proposing a joint venture as soon as they get all the information they need. Board Members agreed to rediscuss this at the next meeting. They need the figures from John Pitstick. DISCUSSION OF SELECTING A PARK BOARD MEMBER FOR YMCA: D. F. Whitlow said it is critical for one or two Park Board Members to be on the YMCA Board. Being at the chain of command level . decisions are made and it is the letter of the law. We need to know what will be required on time commitments, etc. Don White said I think John Pitstick has a schedule of meetings for the YMCA. Board Members were in agreement to table this item until such time as all Board Members are present. RELOCATION OF PARK BOARD MEETING ROOM : Park Board Members agreed that meeting in the City Managers Conference Room was a more relaxed atmosphere and they seemed to get more accomplished as opposed to meeting in the Council Chambers . Don White said at the pace this board is moving. in the near future you will see citizen participation at the meetings. If citizens attend the meetings we must have seating facilities for them. So the regular sessions will have to remain in the Council Chambers. However , workshops can be held in the City Managers Conference Room. Jill Tomek said if we have to stay in the Council Chambers it would be better if we could pull the tables together . Don White said that is fine. We' ll put a microphone in the center of the table to record the minutes. DISCUSSION OF A LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE: Joanie Zeeb said she felt it was imperative that the City have a landscaping ordinance. Don White said the proposed ordinance has alot of good things in there, but some of it needs to be toned down. Mr. Whitlow said he would like to see a City ordinance restricting car dumps on main City thoroughfares. Ji11 Tomek said when home owners of key downtown areas sell their homes the City needs to rezone so that the property would have to be bought as a business property. Mr. Whitlow said these areas could also become primo park land. Jill Tomek said the railroad track area along SH78 is an eyesore. It would be a good idea to plant 18 foot tail fotina evergreen to obstruct the unsightly view. Joanie Zeeb said the State is planning to widen SH78, therefore we need to postpone any planting until after widening completion. Board Members agreed to discuss a landscaping ordinance at the next meeting. GENERAL DISCUSSION: Mr . Whitlow distributed a list of all non-profit organizations to all Board Members present and stated we need to work with these organizations. Jill Tomek said the Womens League is getting more organized and I think they can be a big help to us. Mr . Whitlow distributed a Board Members List to all Board Members present and said it is helpful to have this list in case we need to contact anyone. Mr . Whitlow stated if the Park Board wants to approach any organization in writing we must have prior Council approval . Mr . Whitlow said the City agreed to maintain a Parks and Recreation resource file at City Hall so it will be available to us at meetings. Jill Tomek said we need a copy of the minutes of the WSA meeting. Lisa Keith said I don' t know if any minutes were taken. but I will find out and get back with you. Board Members agreed to meet in a workshop session in the City Managers Conference Room on Thursday, September 22nd at 7: 15 P. M. There being no other business or discussion. a motion was made by D. F. Whitlow to adiourn. The motion was seconded with all in favor . D. F. Whitlow. Chairman Respectfully Submitted. Lisa Keith, Secretary