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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/1983 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY HELD ON JANUARY 25, 1983 A WORK SESSION of the City Council with the Park and Recreation Board of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the City Council with the following members present: Gene Pollard Mayor Scott North Councilman Larry Sample Councilman Norman Adeler Councilman Charlie Parker Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with no members absent; thus, a quorum was established. Also present at this meeting were the following members of the Park and Recrea- tion Board: Richard Frohardt President Kevin Seidler Member Earl Brantley Member Cliff Orme Member Rick Herold Director, Park and Recreation Department 1. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE CITY OF THE COLONY Mayor Pollard stated that the reason for this meeting was to review the goals of the City in the Recreation Department in preparation for a future bond package. At this time, he stated that each person had before them a copy of the Goals Committee report dated June 14, 1982. He reviewed the following short-term objectives and long-term goals that had been agreed to by the Goals Committee. Short Term Objectives 1. Create a site and facilities inventory of usable park, recreation and sport land available within the city. 2. Identify and establish acceptable practice fields for all sport associations. 3. Alleviate the drainage problem at Turner Street Park. 4. Establish watering capability at all game fields. 5. At an appropriate time, present a parks and recreation bond package to voters for a swimming pool, community building and related facilities. 6. Maintain and develop Stewarts Creek Park as budget and manpower limita- tions will allow. 7. Continue and expand as necessary all existing Parks and Recreation Depart- ment programs for the entire spectrum of our community, especially middle school age children. 8. Incorporate association and volunteer help into the overall parks and recrea- tion program. 9. Provide adequate and safe parking at all sport, park and recreation sites. 10. Pave the jogging track on Greenway Park. il. Reserve more areas for unorganized activities. Long Term Goals 1. Coordinate recreation and sport facilities with the Lewisville Independent School District. 2. Coordinate recreation and sport facilities with Fox and Jacobs, other developers and IBM. -1- 3. Ensure appropriate growth of the Parks and Recreation Department to adequately maintain existing and future sport, park and recreation facilities. 4. Light identified sport fie]ds and tennis courts to allow evening play consis- tent with local desires. 5. Establish and maintain "toddler" parks throughout the city. 6. Plan and develop "buffer" zones between residential and sport play areas. 7. Develop greenbelt parks along natural drainage areas as maintenance capa- bilities will allow. Mr. Herold also advised the Council and Board members that the City presently has eleven park areas, nine of which are being actively developed. He further advised the only prime land that the city had for an active park was the Office Creek sports complex and Turner Street Park. Turner Street Park also has a large area that can be a beautiful natural park setting. Mayor Pollard asked if the drainage problems had been alleviated in Turner Street Park. Mr. Herold advised that they had at this time. Mr. Herold further advised that in the John W. Bridges Park area, the stream near the tennis courts should be straightened out if they intended to use that area for any additional light recreation purposes. Mayor Pollard asked who recommended this. Mr. Herold advised the Council that Schrickel Rollins and Randall and Blake stated that this should be done. Councilman Poole was concerned that the cost on this would be prohibitive. Dr. Seidler explained that no cost has been devised for this at this time, however, the primary point is the land is not usable as it is. Mayor Pollard said that he would like for Mr. Herold, as well as the Park and Recreation Board, to make an inventory of all usable park land in the city and make a list of feasible priorities for a future bond package. Dr. Seidler said that they were actively pursuing this, but they were not prepared at this time to present a report to the Council; however, he stated he would like to take this opportunity for the Board to receive any guidelines that the Council might have. The Council and Board did agree that a swimming pool is a short-term objective, and it was discussed at length. Mayor Pollard advised the Board that a swimming pool could be a part of a bond package in June and that the Council had discussed with Fox and Jacobs the feasibility of their matching the cost on this pool to $250,000. Mayor Pollard also stated that the Council did receive a report back from Councilman Parker after a conversation with Chairman Frohardt that there was a $20,000,000 bond package being formulated. He further clarified that the Council did receive feedback that the Park and Recreation Board would like to go on their own with a separate bond package. Chairman Frohardt stated that these figures were only given by him to Councilman Parker as "pie in the sky" costs for all needs. Cliff Orme stated that he did not know of this proposal. Kevin Seidler and Earl Brantley advised that they were not aware of this $20,000,000 figure. Chairman Frohardt stated that he was aware that the Board served only at the pleasure of the Council. Mayor Pollard assured the Board that they were pleased to have those members serve but felt that it was time to discuss objec- tives and goals. Chairman Frohardt stated that he felt a long term bond program in the recreation area would be a definite industrial advantage for the city. Councilman Adeler agreed. Mayor Pollard agreed, but stated that this Council is committed to holding the tax rate at eight per cent of the present rate and, to do this, the Council must consider all city needs and rate them on a percentage basis. Mr. Brantley stated that many of their field recommenda- tions would be based on the fact that, if the North Colony complex is closed by Fox and Jacobs, then additional fields will be needed immediately. Dr. Seidler stated that in the past Fox and Jacobs has dedicated primarily what he called "junk property" and that he felt there was a need to pursue the acquisition of quality park land. He added that he felt that the Stewarts Creek Park area is a fine city park. Councilman Parker agreed that it was, however, reminded the Board and the Council that Stewarts Creek can be developed for water sports only. At this time, the City Manager, Mr. Johnny Sartain, stated that the City of Lewisville did develop athletic fields on Corps land and that this could be done by the city if needed. Dr. Seidler assured the Council that the Park and Recreation Board will present a package which will include all development costs. Councilman Parker asked that they review the availability of grants also. Mr. Herold, Director of the Parks and Recrea- tion Department, did advise the Council that state funds were available. Mayor Pollard suggested that, based on census figures, it will be important that toddler parks be developed for the many young children in the city. Councilman North requested that they look into more recreation facilities and games for the young people in the area. There followed lengthy discussion regarding the different types of recreation programs in The Colony, as well as -2- the actual needs. During this discussion, it was mentioned by Councilman Parker that in the last budget year, the Park and Recreation Board did request of the Council funds to conduct a study for recreation needs in The Colony. This was discussed by the Board and Council, and it was agreed that it possibly should be reconsidered at a later date. Mayor Pollard also stated that he would like to take the Park and Recreation Board on a tour of the city regarding future park development. It was agreed that this would be done in the near future. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the two main needs within the city were a swimming pool and a recreation center. There followed a discussion of the exact needs in this community center. Councilman Parker then summarized what he felt are the essential areas that the Park and Recrea- tion Board must address as far as needs: 1. Preschoolers 2. Organized sports, which would take at least 20 acres 3. Passive park development 4. Active park development Concerning active park development, he suggested perhaps looking at a pavilion at Stewarts Creek Park or a gazebo in a city park for the use of a community band. In discussing acreage for parks, the Board did concur that they needed fourteen acres for baseball, fourteen acres for football and soccer and an additional eight acres for a community center complex. Mayor Pollard then asked the Board what they needed from the City Council to assist them in their work. Chairman Frohardt stated that a meeting such as this one is beneficial to give the Board guidelines from time to time. It was agreed that an inventory and plan for the existing park areas would be developed; they would have a tour of the city regarding future development and that quarterly meetings would be conducted with the Park and Recreation Board. 2. CLOSED DOOR SESSION DEALING WITH PERSONNEL AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17 OF VERNON'S ANNOTATED CIVIL STATUTES, AS AMENDED Mayor Pollard announced that the Council would now meet in a closed door session to discuss personnel. Upon reconvening in open session, Mayor Pollard stated that no action could be taken by the Council at this time. There being no further business, Council- man Dodds moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Councilman Poole, the motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pollard adjourned the meeting at 12:03 a.m. GE~7~f POLLARD, MAYOR ATTEST: JANIC~/CARROLL,- CITY SECRETARY -3-