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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/1998 MINUTES OF THE COLONY MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION "QUALITY OF LIFE" 413 BOARD HELD ON APRIL 16TH, 1998 A REGULAR SESSION of the Board of Directors of The Colony Municipal Economic Development Corporation "Quality of Life" 4B Board, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Don Goebel President Wayne Bullard Member Vicki Briggs Member Susan King Member Sue Walden Member Rick Manser Member Morris Seay Member and with no members absent; thus a quorum was established. Also in attendance was Pam Nelson, Parks & Recreation Director. 1. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING PROPOSED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. A. INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS. President Goebel introduced all the Board Members. B. EXPLAIN MISSION & BOARD'S ACTIVITIES TO PRESENT. President Goebel explained the Board's mission and activities to present and gave the Board's mission statement as: Service through leadership to the community by recognizing, prioritizing, and facilitating community development projects to enhance the quality of life of the community. C. STATE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING. President Goebel stated the Board's goal is to receive input from citizens on any proposed community project. D. STATE RULES FOR FORUM. President Goebel read the following rules for the forum: 1) Those wishing to speak must complete the attached form and place it in the box on the secretary's desk prior to the beginning of the meeting. 2) When you are recognized, please come forward and speak directly into the microphone at the front center of the room. 3) At the beginning of your comments, state your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to five minutes. The presiding officer will notify you when your time is about to expire. E. RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM PAM NELSON, PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR. Ms. Nelson, Parks & Recreation Director, gave a presentation on the background of where the 4B Board has come from. The Parks & Recreation Board had developed a Park Plan with a list of priorities for capital improvements, and at the same time worked on a Park Dedication Ordinance. Prior to the Sales Tax Election, a conceptual plan was completed showing a variety of facilities to meet the future needs of the community and a proposed location for a multi sports complex. The location on the conceptual plan shows two tracts of land owned by JNC Properties and amenities would include, on the west tract of land - 9 soccer fields, 4 football fields, and 2 inline hockey rinks. The east tract of land would include a community center, sr. baseball fields, girl's softball, and adult softball. The Parks & Recreation Board has money from the Austin Ranch Development as per the Park Dedication Ordinance, to use for purchasing some property and hopefully it will be this property as seen on the conceptual plan. F. RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM BEN CASEY OF THE DALLAS YMCA. Ben Casey was not available for this presentation, and in his place was Don Stevens, Executive Director of the Frisco YMCA. Mr. Stevens stated the goal of the YMCA is to meet community needs. They offer programs such as child care, family programs, Indian Guide/Princess, sports, and fitness programs. A survey has been put together with input from the YMCA, members of the 4B Board, Sr. Citizens, Boys & Girls Club, and the Parks & Recreation Department, asking the community to respond with their needs and desires. A copy of the survey was made available to citizens this evening and will also be published in the Parks & Recreation Summer Brochure to get feedback from the citizens of The Colony. G. RECEIVE CITIZEN'S INPUT REGARDING IDEAS FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. H. RECEIVE CITIZEN'S INPUT REGARDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES. At this time, those who had signed up to speak at the public hearing were called forward. 1) Lori Hill - 5824 Madison - was representing the North Texas Arts Project. She stated they are an arts organization currently applying for non-profit status. They offer comprehensive programs including music, theater, and arts. They are in the need of a facility for their organization and were inquiring about the library building once it is vacated later in the year and moved to the new city hall location. Ms. Hill asked for the support of the 413 Board in helping to provide funding for the costs for renovations to the building for their use if approved. She further added they would be in favor of sharing the building with other organizations looking for a meeting facility. 2) James Althaus - 5409 Sagers - had two requests to speak on. The first on the need of a new library building - and he stated he was glad to see that issue already addressed in the conceptual plan presented by Ms. Nelson as part of the comprehensive plan. The second item he wished to speak on was as a representative of the Lakeside Community Theater, another theater group here in The Colony. He was unaware that the North Texas Art Project group was in existence and stated he was glad to hear about their request for use of the library building, and felt since they had very similar goals, they could probably work together on their desire to use the library building once it becomes vacated since they are also in the need of a facility to hold productions. 3) Elise Knox - 5409 Sagers - was present representing The Colony Aquatic Park. She stated the current swimming pool is full to capacity in the summer months, and she would like the Board's support on a children's water activity play area to expand public swim opportunities. She showed the Board a short video on different water activity ideas. 4) Judi Dodson - 6724 Shadowcrest - was present representing a Ice Hockey Team from The Colony High School. She was asking for support from the Board to help with funding for the team which is made up of students from The Colony High School. She stated this is a temporary situation and eventually they will be UIL approved and they will pick up the funding in 2 to 4 years. 5) Sandra Sparks - 5236 Cook Circle - had a question on if there was a proposed walking area going in the conceptual plan that was presented. Ms. Nelson stated there was and showed Ms. Sparks where it was indicated on the conceptual plan. 6) Mary Watts - 7008 Sample - stated with the property tax base of The Colony, the area where the conceptual plan is planned for is prime real estate area. She wants the 413 Board to consider bringing in a trolley system for people to be able to get to the area of wherever the new community facilities will be located, however she further added she would rather see current parks in The Colony enhanced instead of the conceptual plan that was presented. She further added a need for a comprehensive lake study plan. 7) Chris Cochran - 5228 Goodman Dr. - stated he had spoken with residents on Goodman Drive and they are all in support of the conceptual plan as presented by Ms. Nelson. He further added he was in favor of a library going into the community facilities on the conceptual plan. He wants to be kept updated on whatever goes on with a sports complex. 8) David Kovatch - 5825 Poole Drive - first thanked the 4B Board for all the work they have done in the past year and for taking the approach of a public hearing on an athletic complex. He added he would be very happy to get with citizens in the area of Arbor Glen and Goodman as far as the conceptual plan goes. His second issue was to invite the Board to attend a minor league baseball game scheduled for May 16`x' at The Colony High School. He was asking for support from the 413 Board on finding a way to provide a facility for minor league baseball in The Colony. 9) John Sanders - 6018 McAfee - was present to comment on some of the items presented, in particular the multi sports complex plan in the area as presented on the conceptual plan. He stated that even though there will be a loss of revenue from taking the property off the tax rolls, it will be offset by the many commercial businesses already coming in, adding the multi sports complex conceptual plan is located in an ideal area. Mr. Sanders further added this conceptual plan is what sold the 413 election and he believes it is what the citizens would like to have. At this time President Goebel stated he was very pleased with all the ideas presented this evening, and then opened the floor for discussion and questions from the Board. Member Walden stated she also wanted to add that a bowling alley is a possibility with YMCA. Member Seay asked Ms. Hill exactly what her request was for. Ms. Hill stated they are just looking for a facility to locate out of and use and would need assistance with funding for renovations of library building if approved. Member Bullard asked how they would feel about sharing the facilities. Ms. Hill stated they would be willing to share the facilities but wanted to be the ones to schedule the use of the meeting rooms themselves and not the city. Member Seay asked David Kovatch exactly what he was asking of the 413 Board. Mr. Kovatch stated he was talking about taking the bottom portion of land located on the conceptual plan and building another cluster of baseball fields. He is asking for 413's help in purchase of land and construction of fields and stadium. Corporate funds would be used for extra needs of the league and they would lease the stadium from the city and manage it throughout the year. President Goebel asked about parking at the facility if general attendance is 3,000 per night. Mr. Kovatch stated they would have to have room for 2,000 parking spaces. He also added they would have to get with L.I.S.D. and ask for some cooperation with parking at The Colony High School. Member Seay asked of Ms. Knox about a water park. Ms. Knox stated she would like to see plans for a water park at a separate site. Member Bullard stated to Chris Cochran to encourage his friends and neighbors to come out and speak to the 4B Board at future meetings, and also any citizens who may be watching on T.V., to get their input. The next public hearing will be publicized more and will be scheduled some time in May. Jim Briggs - 4800 Pemberton - stated he is in favor of the conceptual plan as presented, adding it is located in an area easily accessible to kids. He encouraged the Board to not to let it happen to be placed in an inaccessible spot. A motion was then made by Member Bullard to close the public hearing. Seconded by Member Briggs, the motion was approved by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None At 8:20 p.m. members took a break and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. 2. ADDRESS ISSUES PERTAINING TO PUBLIC HEARING. Members discussed a need to prioritize the items addressed at the public hearing. When input from the survey comes in, then prioritizing can start. Members discussed the next public hearing which was tentatively scheduled for May 14 and were in agreement that more publicity needs to be done. Discussion was also held on inviting the ones who came before the Board at the public hearing to attend another Board meeting with a proposal of their request. Discussion was also held on proposal from Judi Dodson. Ms. Nelson stated the Board would have to be careful on setting precedent for other teams to come before them with requests. Member Seay stated he doesn't think the 4B Board should be the ones to sponsor the team, rather they need to hold fund raisers to raise the money themselves. Member King stated a need for the Board to finish other projects started such as contract for a director, job description, budget, and by-laws. President Goebel stated he would like to appoint someone from the Board to start meeting with the City Manager regarding some of the above issues. Member Bullard stated he may have to be resigning from the Board if he has to relocate due to his job, however he might be available sometime during the next week to meet with the City Manager. Member Manser stated he would be able to back up Member Bullard if he wasn't available. Member Bullard will be meeting with the City Manager regarding structure, job description, and budget for services. President Goebel again stated to ask those citizens who attended this evening's public hearing to come back before the Board with a form proposal. The Board then went over each item presented this evening and decided whether it was a 4B issue, or other department issue. The following is a list of the proposals and a determination of the Board's direction: Creative & Performing Arts - NTAP - Parks & Recreation Dept. and Parks & Rec. Board issue Library Growth - City concern Community Theater & Meeting Facility - Parks & Recreation Dept. and Parks & Rec. Board issue Children's Water Play Area - 413 Board Water Park - Full Size - 4B Board High School Ice Hockey Team - not an issue of 413 Board - refer to Chamber of Commerce - possible corporate sponsorship Hike & Bike Trails - 413 Board Trolley System - not an issue of 4B Board at this time - review later if transportation becomes an issue Indoor Soccer - not an issue of 413 Board at this time YMCA - 4B Board Park Enhancements - partnership with Parks & Rec. Board (if not city funded, come back before 413 Board) Lakeshore Development - partnership with 4A Board, City, and developers Minor League Baseball - partnership with 4A and corporate sponsorships Multi-Sports Complex - 413 Board Ms. Nelson stated a need for the Board to inform those who were present at the public hearing what the next step is going to be and direct them to right places. President Goebel asked Secretary Sue Walden to send thank you notes to all who attended this evening and also to steer them in the proper direction on their requests. The next scheduled Board meeting will be on April 30t". 3. NEW BUSINESS. None. There being no further discussion, it was unanimously decided to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. Beverly Nop , Recording Secretary Don Goebel, President