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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPBmin2007-01-15DRAFT MINUTES Park Board Regular Meeting, January 15, 2007 The Park Board of the City of Anna held a regular meeting at 7:00 pm, Monday, January 15, 2007, at the Community Room, Independent Bank, 101 S. Powell Parkway, to consider the following items. 1. Presentation by Mayor Kenneth Pelham regarding role and activities of Park Board. Mayor Kenneth Pelham welcomed new members to Board and told them that there was much to do over the next year. He mentioned the importance of being present at meetings, particularly over the next months as work begins on several of the new City parks. He also asked that the board take on more responsibility for its own organization, including taking of notes and writing minutes of meetings, and taking charge of special projects such as Christmas holiday and July 4 activities. 2. Call to Order and establishment of quorum. The meeting was called to order at 7:16 by Chairman Jon Hendricks. All members were present. Also present were Mayor Kenneth Pelham, City Manager Lee Lawrence, and Project Manager Barbara Hobden. 3. Update and take action as desired regarding Slater Creek Park project, including discussion and possible action regarding construction management for development of Slater Creek Park. Mr. Lawrence was recognized to discuss the status of Slater Creek Park development activities. He noted that members had been sent information on playground equipment. The council authorized purchase of the equipment under terms as provided to board members, at a total cost of just under $51,000 including installation. The equipment will be paid for and installed when the site is ready. He also provided the board an outline of project activities, noting those for which the City would be responsible and those for which he suggested the City retain a construction manager_ Most of the construction manager activities would be the actual park facilities which are grant eligible, including soccer fields, ball fields, tennis courts, skateboard Page 1 of 4 park, and trail. He asked that the board approve a recommendation to the city council that a construction manager be retained to coordinate and manage those elements of the project that would be occurring simultaneously or in rapid sequence so that the project could be completed expeditiously and efficiently. There was also discussion of various fundraising possibilities for the park. It was noted that sale buildings such as the concession stand. Another suggestion was to encourage tree plantings, with the name of the individual donor on a marker at the tree. Similarly, donation of benches or funds with which to purchase benches could be recognized with a marker attached to the bench. Promotion of these fundraising projects could be accomplished through presentations to school groups, scout groups, community service groups, alumni associations, local civic organizations, and similar entities. Board members were asked to bring to the February meeting their formal suggestions for fundraising strategies. In addition, Mr. Hendricks will contact a company that makes the commemorative bricks and bring brochures and sample bricks and/or stones to the February meeting. Members were also asked to give some thought to what "extra" (non -budgeted) features and facilities they wanted to include in the park. For example, the board has discussed at some length the desire to have some type of covering over the bleachers at the ball fields. Mr. Lawrence asked board members for suggestions regarding bathroom facilities at the park. The members stated that the large number of park users made construction of a permanent bathroom facility critical and that even temporary use of porta-potties should be avoided. Mr. Lawrence was also asked about the dimensions and specifications for the pavilion. He stated that he would bring detailed information about the pavilion at the next meeting and also bring some suggestions regarding the bathroom/concession building. Page 2 of 4 Ms. Angela Toles moved that the Park Board recommend to the City Council the hiring of a construction manager for the development of the major elements of Slater Creek Park. Mr. Kelly On seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. 4. Update and take action as desired regarding Bryant Elementary Park. Mr. Lawrence stated that the grading of Bryant Park, an area that will include several soccer practice fields, had been completed. The next step in making the park area usable would be the seeding of the area. He noted that the City might decide to seed only the actual field areas with the more expensive "mat" seeding and use hand seeding for the remainder of the area. This decision would be largely driven by cost and funding availability. Porta -potties rather than permanent bathrooms would be installed at the park, at least initially. Under any circumstances the soccer fields should be available for use by mid to late summer, 2007. S. Update and take action as desired regarding Geer Park. Mr. Lawrence stated that it was the City's intent to provide baseball and softball practice fields at Geer Park for use in the fall of 2007. To do this he suggested rough grading of the park area over the next thirty days, weather permitting, and constructing a gravel entry road and parking area. He asked board members their opinion regarding placing mobile backstops on the ball fields to provide more flexibility for use by different age groups. The board consensus was that permanent backstops be installed but that fence construction could be delayed if funds were not available. Mr. Lawrence noted that he would try to complete the grading work prior to March f so that seeding of the fields could be done in March with field use possible by the end of the summer. 6. Update and take action as desired regarding park area located on south side of FM 455 (W. White Street) south of Windmill Storage location, including naming of park and development plan. New Park Board members were provided a briefing regarding the location of and projected use of the park site south of Windmill Storage on W. White Street. It was noted that the area was intended to be a passive park site, with limited facilities. Mr. Lawrence stated that there would probably be picnic tables, benches, fire pits and similar facilities but that most of the area would be left in a "natural" state. He noted that the western part of the site was an open, relatively flat Coastal Bermuda hayfield, ideal for an open play area and for an outing with the family dog. The eastern part of the area includes a creek and wooded area. The creek is fed by a natural Page 3 of 4 spring that apparently had been used as a community water source prior to the development of a City water system. Mr. Lawrence suggested that research be done to identify any historical name for the spring or identify early settlers on the property on which the spring is located. This research might offer an appropriate name for the park area. Ms. Toles moved that the naming of the park be tabled until the next regular meeting. Ms. Blair seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 7 ayes and no nays. 7. Discuss Items as desired by Park Board members. Mr. g= asked if the City could do some minor grading work at the two softball fields. He stated that the main need was to reestablish a crown on the fields so that rainwater would drain more quickly off the fields. Mr. Lawrence responded that the Community Development Corporation had budgeted some funds for these fields and the City probably had funds to help support the project since it was not expected to entail substantial expense. 8. Financial report. Board members were provided a copy of the current balances and related information for the Park Trust Fund (developer fees for residential building permits) and the Geer Park Trust Fund. 9. Staff reports and items for discussion. Mr. Lawrence stated that unless there was objection he would put an item on the February meeting agenda to elect officers for the board. He noted that the board currently had no elected vice-chairman or secretary. He also mentioned that Places 1, 3, 5, and 7 would be subject to appointment/reappointment in June, 2007. 10. Consider action to approve minutes of following meeting: October 16, 2006 Board members stated that they believed that the board had approved the October 16, 2006 minutes in December. Mr. Lawrence said that he would check the record to clarify this issue. No action was taken. 11. Adjourn. Ms. Toles moves that the meeting be adjourned; Mr. Loyd seconded the motion and the motion was passed by a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m. Page 4 of 4