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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/2012 CDC MINUTES THE COLONY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 11TH 2012 PRESENT: Tenon Lawrence - President STAFF: Pam Nelson Lisa Leary - Secretary Keith Helms - Absent Kathy Braby - Treasurer Kathy Neal Susana Perez - Member Don Beckel - Member Stephen Sohn - Vice President CITY COUNCIL: Richard Boyer - Absent The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CITIZEN'S INPUT - Christi Martin, 5604 Longhorn Dr., The Colony - She is asking the board to consider looking at a prototype of something she wants to donate to Kids Colony. She presented this to the Cultural Arts .Board prior to the development of the Cultural Arts Master Plan and upon their recommendation she presented it to the CDC Board, but everything was on hold until the Cultural Arts Master Plan was completed; now that it's complete, she's asking the CDC Board to place it on their agenda so she can show it to them again. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION AUGUST 9TH 2012 AND THE JOINT SESSION SEPTEMBER 26TH - Motion to approve the Regular Session minutes of August 91h - Braby; second - Beckel; abstain - Sohn; motion passes. Motion to approve the minutes of the Joint Session on September 26`" - Leary; second - Sohn; abstain - Lawrence; motion passes. 4. DISCUSSION OF KIDS COLONY II DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES - Construction for the site work is out for bid; bid submission is due next Thursday. The board received an Opinion of Probable Cost to show them what the projected cost for Phase II will be. They also received a proposal from Recreation Consultants for the playground equipment; this proposal had to be divided into separate proposals because the KABOOMgrant has a limit of $60, 000 on play structures. The third proposal is for the sensory garden elements, installation of the playground and pour-in place surfacing. The play of HGAC, a cooperative purchasing agreement and the sensory items, pour- equipment is being purchased of to-place, and installation is being done through the buy board, all of these items will be purchased separately from the site work contract. Name board forms were sent to the elementary schools this week. Lisa told the board the CoServe grant will be submitted this month. She is getting a lot of inquiries about the community build. The board expressed their appreciation to Lisa for her work on the grant. 5. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE LATEST DRAFT OF THE CULTURAL ARTS MASTER PLAN - Pam told the board that after the first draft was reviewed-, it was returned to the consultants with comments and they were also asked to go into greater detail on some items and to make the plan more actionable and more customized for the Cultural Arts Board. They removed some items that no longer exist and some new things were added to make it more current. Kathy Costa and Joan Lux, from the Cultural Arts Board are at the meeting tonight. Christi Martin, 5604 Longhorn Dr., The Colony - She said her arts group (LAF - Lakeside Arts Foundation) was the only group that was not allowed to have a member on the Cultural Arts Master Plan Committee. The survey, in the community section, shows that a venue is the highest priority for citizens, but city administration or City Council dropped it down and moved other things up that are already being done, such as the Summer Arts Camp. The plan says to identify under- utilized spaces; the problem is not identifying them it's paying for them. The plan also recommends moving forward with an outdoor performance venue at Stewart Creek Park that would back up to the marina, she does not think this will work and hopes the board will reconsider the location, and besides it will only be able to be used for a 3 months out the year, so she does not want this to be considered as a main performance venue. This plan is largely dismissive of the arts organizations and the expertise in these organizations - this is where all the arts expertise in this community is and it should not be dismissed just because it comes from a volunteer organization - it does not mean that they are not qualified, maybe they need more support from the city. The plan recommends that the Chalk This Way Festival be moved out of the city; this was started in the city but had to relocate because the space was no longer big enough, but she hope to move it back to the city some day, and wants that to remain in the Plan. There is also a book that is listed that is in the Plan that is obsolete - Going Public; she has a copy and offered to give it to anyone who wants to read it. Lisa reminded everyone that every arts group was given the opportunity to meet with the consultants. There were one-on-one sessions with teachers, arts groups and professionals in the community. A survey was conducted but was skewed by multiple responses from a few individuals. Kathy Costa, Chair of the Cultural Arts Board, said the board is very excited about the Plan. The board is very happy with the changes and has already acted on some of them, such as the Public Art Policy which will be on the City Council agenda soon. This plan gives the board a clear path on moving forward. Joan Lux, Vice Chair of the Cultural Arts Board, agrees with Lisa in that any group had the opportunity to meet and give input on the Plan. This plan will grow and change as we move forward, but we have a document to work with. She is happy with the changes implemented in the plan. Kathy Braby agreed with Lisa that all the arts organizations were included in meetings with the consultants. There was discussion about having an "Other Contributor" category to listformer board members or Council members who were part of the process but no longer serve on their respective boards. 6. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF THE 2012-2013 BUDGET - City Council has approved the budget. There is $475, 000 in CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) in this year's budget. We will have to have a public hearing for the design of the dog park and for improvements at Stewart Creek Park. 7. BOARD TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - The board had no requests, they took this time to acknowledge Keith for all his work and input he has done for the board and the city; they appreciate all he has done as his work is seen and enjoyed every day. They wish Keith and his family the best with the challenges they are enduring. 8. RECEIVE UPDATE FROM STAFF AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Sales tax was down in September; the Finance Director believes this is a result of a drop in William Sonoma sales. Sales tax for the year is up. NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART PROJECT - The joint meeting with City Council, the LDC, EDC and CDC on Oct. 16th has been cancelled and will probably occur in November. CARR/CHAPMAN PARK IMPROVEMENTS - The new playground is complete. There is crack in the concrete on the basketball court, so that may have to be replaced The ribbon cutting and hot dog cook-out will be on Saturday, Nov. 3"" at 11:30. FRIENDSHIP PARK IMPROVEMENTS - The slab for the basketball court has been poured. Progress on this project has been slow due to some issues the contractor had and it took a long time to get the dirt and then we got more dirt than we needed. The playground equipment is here; the park should be complete in mid November. BILL ALLEN MEMORIAL PARK BRIDGE - The bridge is complete and it was ready just in time for the disc golf tournament held in August. A suggestion was made to install curved railings on the bridge for safety. TRIBUTE NATURE TRAIL - The plans have been reviewed by the Engineering Dept. We will go out for bids in a couple of weeks. FAMILY FRIGHT NIGHT - This event is on Oct. 27Th & 281h at Stewart Creek Park. Registration for this event is full. AMERICAN HEROES - This event is on Saturday, November 10th at Five Star. There are several events throughout the day - a 5K & IOK at Stewart Creek Park, a silent auction with the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project, vendor expo, car show, the carnival that runs from Nov. 8th Nov. 11th, the headline band will be Little Texas, and the day ends with fireworks. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. 64 Kathy eal, R eording Secretary TeRon Lawrence, President