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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2003 City CouncilSpecial Session March 10, 2003 MINUTES OF JOINT SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL AND TIiE PARKS & RECREATION BOARD ItELD ON MARCH 10, 2003 The Joint Special Session of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Board of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 6.36 p.m. on the 10th day of March 2003, at Hidden Cove Park, 20400 Hackberry Creek Park Rd. with the following roll call: Councilmembers: Bernetta Henville-Shannon Mayor Present John Gordon Councilmember Present Lewis Jue Councilmember Present Joe McCourry Councilmember Present Lynda Bayliss Councilmember Present (arrived 6:40) Perry Schrag Councilmember Present Joel Marks Councilmember Present Park Board: John Sanders (No quorum established for the Parks & Recreation Board) and with seven council members present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. Discussion and action on recommendation from Solid Waste and Recycling Committee regarding direction the city should take concerning solid waste and recycling services (Perry Schrag) Councilmember Schrag made a motion to leave the contract with IESI as is and to seek proposals or bids on commercial and multi-family trash pickup and recycling services. Motion was seconded by Councilmember McCourry. Councilmember Gordon asked for clarification that the recycling and commercial contracts will coincide with IESI's current expiration date. Councilmember Schrag amended his motion to include the contract term is to expire at the same time as our current IESI residential contract expires. All Councilmembers voted Aye. 2. Discussion and action on spray park/water playground infrastructure change order (Pam Nelson) Park Director Pam Nelson provided a hand out of the watercolor system and upgrades desired. Councilmember Bayliss asked if the additional platforms require additional infrastructure. Ms. Nelson advised yes. Councilmember Gordon asked if the price quoted is a good price. A representative from the contracting company advised that the original quote was prepared too quickly and he said that this price is firm. Councilmember Marks inquired about a timeline for adding additional structures to this design plan. Elise Knox, Aquatic Park Manager, advised 10-15 years. She added this product line will be available over time to accept more options. Councilmember Jue inquired about information that had been provided at an earlier 1 Special Session March 10, 2003 meeting concerning no/low cost items available. The contractor advised they had already provided some items to the city below normal pricing. A motion was made by Councilman Gordon to accept the change order as presented; second by Councilmember Bayliss; all voted Aye. 3. Discussion and action concerning various issues related to Hidden Cove Park (Council) Pam Nelson reviewed the contents of the report in the packet stating it had current operations of the park, history, and future ideas. She asked for council's direction for park operations. Councilmember McCourry asked to delete and not consider item g4 of the proposals. Council members Marks and Bayliss advised they wanted to leave it in for now. Councilmember Gordon stated he would like to explore option #2, private parmerships, and put some additional money into marketing the park. Councilmember McCourry added that he agreed with Mr. Gordon, advising he likes #2 or #5, or a combination of the two, and is against g4. Ms. Nelson advised J.T.'s is spending money on marketing and is willing to do more. She suggested upgrading the website on an immediate basis. She also would like to look into partnerships but stated it may not be the best time due to the economy. She has already spoken to marina developers, and would like to consider a lodge and/or cabins. She believes there is a need for that type of accommodations but added she wants the area to stay family oriented and not too commercialized. John Sanders, park board member, spoke cautioning council to be careful with partnerships. He believes their main objective would be profit and we (the city) needs to maintain control of our resources in the park. Councilmember Marks said he likes option #2 and asked how much money might be available for marketing. He also had a concern of the road conditions to the park. Ms. Nelson advised the city of Frisco is responsible for a large portion of the road. She also mentioned that with the number of residents in the area, the county will probably be providing some improvements. Mayor Henville-Shannon added that the development currently in progress and future development should prompt the city of Frisco to improve the roads in the area. Mr. McCourry advised he doesn't believe the road conditions to be a deterrent for park users. He did state he believes we need to market the park more and leave the park fund as it is. Mr. Tony Johnston, Assistant City Manager, advised the reason the park operations were kept separated from the city budget was because we are leasing it from the Corps of Engineers. Ms. Nelson handed out a worksheet showing park expenditures without employee salaries and benefits. Dale Cheatham, City Manager, reviewed the deficits of recent years. Discussion followed by staff and council regarding fund transfers. Mr. Cheatham advised staff will research if any additional funds are available for more marketing now. Mr. Gordon suggested moving the park budget, incorporating it into the general fund rather than having it as a stand-alone project. He reiterated that this park is an asset. Councilmember Jue advised he believes continuing with special events, such as the Christmas Lights in the park, will only further expose the park to surrounding cities. Ms. Nelson suggested that at some point maybe the city should consider a special events staff person to coordinate events. Mayor Henville-Shannon asked for citizen input. Mr. Rick Alexander, 3824 Red Oak, spoke in favor of adding bike trails and events in the park. 2 Special Session March 10, 2003 Mr. Cheatham advised that no formal action is required for this agenda item. He added that staff will evaluate the budget for additional money for marketing. Mr. Marks asked if we could look at a marketing firm. Mayor Henville-Shannon asked if the hotel-motel tax could be used for the park. Mr. Cheatham advised staffwill check into these. Ms. Bayliss asked if a marketing staff person could be used for other areas of the city, and she asked for clarification regarding privatizing all or part of the park, whether or not it would remain the city's. Mr. Cheatham advised it would still belong to the city. With no further business to address the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. APPROVED: Mayor Henville-Shannon ATTEST: Christie Wilson, Deputy City Secretary