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09-28-1998 (Parks & Recreation) Agenda Packet Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Agenda Communication for September 28, 1998 Issue Discuss and consider establishing a policy between the City of Wylie and the Wylie Independent School District regarding the acquisition of property for park and educational purposes. Background Over the past few years, several steps have been taken to secure the relationship between the City of Wylie and the Wylie Independent School District (WISD). Cooperative agreements have been developed with regard to the joint development and use of the new park, the crossing guard program, and most recently with the Student Resource Officer and the DARE program. Specific to the parks system, there are two primary policy documents in place. Within the Parks and Open Space Master Plan are a series of goals which address the future of the city's park and recreation system. Of these goals, one specifically addresses the desire to continue to identify opportunities for joint use facilities between the WISD and the City: Goal: Continue to develop cooperative efforts between the City and School District for joint use facilities. Objectives: a. When feasible, plan, acquire and develop joint use sites for park and educational purposes. b. Establish annual meetings between the City and District for discussing community growth and programs which can be undertaken to benefit both entity's objectives. c. Assist, when required, to protect future school sites which are agreed upon as the park acquisition plan is implemented. Five specific park and open space elements are recommended within the Plan. These include neighborhood parks, community parks, trails, open space/corridor preservation, and a park/school concept. As stated in the Plan: A planning and development approach taken by some cities and school districts is the concept of having a joint use site. When planning parameters interface properly and a site is situated where it can function both as a neighborhood park and elementary school, several benefits are gained for both entities by the purchase of the site for joint use. The facility can become the focal point for the neighborhood where both recreational and educational facilities are available to surrounding residents. The combined site reduces the total area needed if separate sites were purchased and each entity can make maximum use of the recreational opportunities and share in the maintenance of grounds and equipment costs. The growth currently occurring within the area has placed an emphasis on the importance of the joint planning efforts and on the need to further fine tune policy regarding the acquisition of park land adjacent to future elementary schools. The City has two basic options available in order to acquire park land; 1) purchase identified parcels of land based on the Master Plan, or 2) through the platting process, require the dedication of park land per the Parkland Dedication Ordinance. Which option to pursue is going to vary with each separate circumstance. There are opportunities to jointly develop property with the WISD without the need to jointly purchase the property. As an example, the two tracts of land recently purchased by the WISD for elementary schools are a part of larger proposed subdivisions. Through the platting and development process, the City will be able to receive dedicated park land adjacent to the new school off of FM 1378, without the need to purchase land jointly with the District. The other property acquired by the WISD on McCreary Road falls within a subdivision in which a considerable amount of park land and open space has been set aside. In that circumstance, the Park Board recommended that the developer pay the fees, rather than dedicate the land. The fees received will then be applied to enhancing the open space within the 10 acres purchased by the WISD. Another example would be with the possible elementary school site adjacent to the Woodbridge Subdivision. There is an opportunity to utilize the old landfill property on Alanis for a park, if it is possible to locate the school site adjacent to the existing City-owned property. The issue of primary importance with these, or any other circumstance, is that it is imperative for the City and the WISD to communicate prior to either entity taking any action. If the efforts are not coordinated, the opportunity to optimize the use of land for both education and open space is lost. In November, 1995 the City of Wylie and the WISD both approved a Resolution which established a working partnership, stating that "the two will actively support each others missions by communicating and cooperating at all levels of their organizations." The Resolution also put in place a Joint Action Plan which sets out specific goals pertaining to the joint development and use of the new park/athletic field complex. The Action Plan is intended to be a flexible and dynamic document to be changed as needed. In order to specifically address the issues of the acquisition of park land near new school sites, it is recommended that the Joint Action Plan be amended as shown on the attached. Financial Considerations N/A Other Considerations N/A Board/Commission Recommendation N/A Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the amendment to the Joint Action Plan. Attachment Draft Joint Action Plan Prepay b Approved by 21,11( 4(h, 0.ei6\ JOINT ACTION PLAN / QO WYLIE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY OF WYLIE Adopted, November 14, 1995 Revised, October, 1998 Purpose. This Action Plan aims to: A. secure the relationship between the Wylie Independent School District (WISD) and the City of Wylie by formalizing present and new policies and programs, and B. provide for the continuous improvement of services to the community that help fulfill the missions of both organizations. II. Goals. The following goals represent the joint action agenda for the WISD/City partnership. A. Complete jointly, the planning and development of the Central Park area which is comprised of a multi-use athletic field complex, the WISD football stadium, a tennis center, and hike & bike trails. B. Provide safe access for school children to and from their schools, and safe, healthy environments at school sites that promote learning. C. Meet together as governing bodies and exchange information, develop new plans, and consider new programs on behalf of the citizens of Wylie. 1. Jointly approve a Conceptual Plan for the Central Park area on or before December, 1995. 2. Prior to the acquisition of land, by purchase or dedication, the City of Wylie and the Wylie Independent School District agree to meet and discuss: the affects of the acquisition on each entity's Master Plan; and the opportunity and method for joint development and use. 3. In preliminary meetings with developers, staff will pursue the Park/School concept, where applicable. D. Enter into a Joint Use Agreement, as necessary, for new projects and programs. 1. Jointly approve a Joint Use Agreement for the Central Park area on or before January, 1996