HomeMy WebLinkAbout4th Quarter (October-December)
CITY OF THE COLONY
DENTON COONTY, TEXAS
OCTOBER 18, 1991
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given of a REGULAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board
of the City of The Colony, Texas, to be held on October 23rd, 1991, at 7:30
p.m. at the Recreation Center, located at 5151 North Colony Boulevard, at
which time the following will be discussed:
1. Citizens input.
2. Approval of minutes of September 25, 1991.
3. Consideration and approval of elections for Chairman and Vice
Chairman of the board.
4. Receive updates fran "Adopt a Park" organizations.
A. Friendship Park
B. Dave Cowan Park
5. Review and consideration of request received for an extension of use
of the Civic Center by the Cornerstone A.M.E. Church.
6. Review and consideration of fee proposals.
7. Receive departmental update fran Director.
8. General items of concern to the board.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the above notice of meeting was placed on the front
door of city hall by 5:4.&Oc~, 1991.
Patti Hicks, City Secretary
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS
HELD ON OCTOBER 23, 1991
A REGULAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board of the City of The Colony,
Texas, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following board members present:
Vern Roberts
Kathy Phillips
Rosco Taylor
Curtis Schmitt
Susan King
Don.'l.a Baggett
David Glass
Vice Chairman
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
and with no members absent; thus a quorum was established. Also in attendance
was Sylvia Brantley, Parks & Recreation Director.
1. CITIZENS INPUT.
None.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1991.
A motion was made by Member Baggett to approve the minutes of September 25, 1991.
Seconded by Member Schmitt, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Phillips, Taylor, Schmitt, King,
Baggett, and Vice Chairman Roberts
Noes: None
Abstention: Member Glass
4. RECEIVE UPDATES FRCM "ADOPT A PARK" ORGANIZATIONS.
A. FRIENDSHIP PARK
B. DAVE CCMAN PARK
Representatives from these two organizations were unable to attend this meeting
and have requested to be placed on the next regular scheduled meeting agenda.
5. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST RECEIVED FOR AN EXTENSION OF USE OF
THE CIVIC CENTER BY THE CORNERSTONE A.M.E. CHURCH.
Rev. Paris of the Cornerstone A.M.E. Church was present. He stated the church
did not have adequate funds to purchase land for a church this year and were
asking for an extension of the use of the civic center to hold services for one
more year. General discussion followed during which Ms. Brantley stated no other
organization has requested use of the civic center on Sunday mornings. A motion
was then made by Member Schmitt to recommend approval of the request by the
Cornerstone A.M.E. Church to extend their use of the civic center for one more
year. Seconded by Member Phillips, the motion was approved by the following
vote:
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Ayes: Members Phillips, Taylor, Schmitt, King,
Baggett, and Vice Chairman Roberts
Noes: None
Abstention: Member Glass
6. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF FEE PROPOSALS.
At this time, Vice Chairman Roberts opened this item up for discussion. Member
King stated she feels the proposed user fee of $2.50 per participant, per season,
is totally out of line and is not what the board recommended over a year ago
which was $1.00 per participant. She asked Ms. Brantley how the Fees Cammdttee
came up with this figure. Ms. Brantley stated the Fees Cammdtte discussed this
and after going over the figures she provided on field maintenance, they felt
$2.50 was a fair amount. Ms. Brantley stated she feels $2.50 is too high,
however it is a start. Member Baggett is concerned if the fees proposed are
passed, where the money will go. Ms. Brantley stated the money would go back
into the general fund because that's the way the City Charter is set up and is
mandated by law. Member Baggett asked what could be done to change the charter
and Ms. Brantley stated she didn't know, but would try and find out. Member
Baggett then asked if the 91-92 budget was done and was the city short on money.
Due to the recent tax increase, she doesn't want this user fee to look like
another hidden tax increase and are taxing just the people involved in playing
sports. Ms. Brantley stated the budget is tight this year and we will be
maintaining what we have now. Member Baggett then asked if the figures Ms.
Brantley came up with on field maintenance is in the budget to be paid for in the
91-92 year. ~.s. Brantley stated these figures in her memo were based on the
previous year manhours and costs, and the 91-92 budget does reflect these
figures. Member Baggett asked what the user fees would be used for and Ms.
Brantley stated the money would all go back into the general fund as revenue.
Ms. Brantley further stated a close careful tracking will be kept of manhours
spent at each park, as they are currently doing so. Member Baggett stated if the
user fee is passed, the different youth sports organizations are going to be
asking what the money is for and asked Ms. Brantley what she would suggest
telling people. Ms. Brantley stated she feels within the next budget year we'll
see an improvement in the athletic fields and offset some of the cost. Member
Baggett asked about Stewart Creek Park funds a'l.d how it is set up differently.
Ms. Brantley stated the Stewart Creek Park fund is under the general fund but is
set up differently because it is a Corps of Engineers park a'l.d all funds taken in
for the park must go back into the park. Member Baggett then asked how tracking
wi 11 be done on user fee funds and Ms. Brantl ey stated this is something that
wi 11 have to be decided after everything is done. Member Schmi tt stated he just
doesn't want to see this fee be accused of as a hidden tax increase. Member
Baggett asked why the Fees Coomittee all of a sudden wanted to act on this when
they've been looking at it for over a year, and Ms. Brantley stated it's because
the budget is so slim this year in all departments and fees in several areas are
being proposed. Member Baggett asked if any of the sports organizations
contributed at all towards fertilizer, dirt, or any maintenance of the fields.
~.s. Brantley stated the soccer association did put in an additional sprinkler
system at Turner Street Park, and have also purchased fertilizer and done some of
their own fertilizing, as have the football association done some of their own
field work. She also stated Little League, Soccer, and Football all donated
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funds enabling Parks & Recreation to purchase an aerator. Member Baggett stated
she doesn't have a problem with the user fees but she does have a problem with
making sure the money is put back into Parks & Recreation. Member King asked if
the B. B. Owens Softball League was a separate account and how it got to be
separate fran the general fund. Ms. Brantley stated that is the way it was set
up when the city took over running the adult softball league frern the softball
organization. Member Baggett asked if the board could find out if the charter
could be changed so these fees could be set up separately to go back into Parks &
Recreation park maintenance.
At this time, Vice Chairman Roberts opened up discussion to the representatives
of the youth sports organizations who were present. Tern Rehm of Colony Youth
Soccer Association asked if manhours in Ms. Brantley's memo for Turner st. Park
was based on 12 months a year because soccer only plays 6 months out of a year.
Ms. Brantl ey stated her memo was based on the months of season pl ay . Mr. Rehm
stated he also takes exception to the cleaning of the bathrooms because he cleans
the bathrooms on Saturday mornings and they are trashed during the week. Ms.
Brantley stated this past Friday evening she had personally checked the bathrooms
at all the athletic fields and they were clean at that time. Mr. Rehm stated on
the lights they could go back to scheduling games without having to use the
lights if the fees for lights is a problem. Member Baggett stated that's not
going to solve the problem. Member King stated it wouldn't do any good trying to
go backwards to cut back, the cost of the use of lights is minimal per child.
Vice Chairman Roberts stated with all the leagues continuing to grow and the
space the city has being limited for leagues to play on, the concept of trying to
take a step backwards anywhere is unacceptable, it just won't work today. Mr.
Rehm went on to say the fertilizing on the fields this year was done by the city
the first time which Ms. Brantley was going to give the association a bill for
but told him to forget it this time. Mr. Rehm went on to say the association has
put 2,000 lbs. of fertilizer on the fields for a cost of $168.00 and Ms.
Brantley's figures show 6,400 lbs. of fertilizer purchased for $1,200 which he
stated is pretty expa"lSive. Ms. Brantley stated it was appreciated what the
soccer organization had done on the fields and all this was relayed to the Fees
Cammd t tee. Mr. RaJ.un' s other concern was the user fees going back into the
general fund to be used for whatever, he feels its a tax increase on the kids.
Jim Mann representing Little League stated they never refuse any kids who want to
play Little League and cannot afford to pay. He estimates 30 to 35% of the kids
don't pay, the organization absorbs those costs so no one is turned away who
can't pay, adding they are here for the kids. If they start haVing to turn away
kids who can't pay, where will it leave those kids. It's going to get so
expensive they are going to have to start telling kids you don't play Q'l.less you
pay.
Larry Johnson representing Colony Youth Football asked what the Parks &
Recreation budget is this year including salaries and Ms. Brantley stated
$452,000. Mr. Johnson asked if out of this is only $16,500 for park maintenance.
Mr. Johnson also said looking at Ms. Brantley's figures for manhours being based
on 4 men, that it was mathematically impossible to cane up with those figures.
Mr. Johnson further added every year since playing football in The Colony, the
day before opening day, their association has cleaned the bathrooms themselves
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and painted over the graffitti on the concession stand, all the city did was mow
the fields and do the aerating. He went on to say the Colony Youth Football
Association will not support a usage fee that is going to go back into the
general fund which is basically another tax increase.
Member Schmitt went on to remind everyone that the board did not set the proposed
user fees. These fees were set by the Fees Cammdttee. He stated he personally
feels the fees are too high, but that this might be a place to start for funds
for more things that are needed for parks, only start at a lower user fee.
Member Phillips also asked how records for tracking the fees would be kept if the
user fees are passed, would it go back to the fields or go to something else.
Ms. Brantley again stated it would go back into the general fund. Mr. Johnson
asked how the fees proposal came about in the first place. Member King stated
the board recommended a user fee be put in place about a year and a half ago. At
that time a lower fee was recommended and it was also reccmnended that the fee go
directly back into field usage. Vice Chairman Roberts stated he would like the
board to meet with the Fees Cammdttee and go over the fees prior to the board
making a recommendation to City Council. General discussion continued during
which Mr. Johnson stated the user fees are coming either this year or next, and
they're going to have to get ready for them. The only thing to hope for is to
steer the funds in the right direction. Ms. Brantley stated she wanted to go on
record as agreeing with Mr. Johnson that the user fees are ccrning, however she
does feel the proposed fees are too high now, and she also agrees the funds
should go back into park maintena'l.ce.
Member Schmitt then made a motion to reccmnend the user fees be re-negotiated to
around $1.00 per participant, and that no fee would be implemented unless it goes
back into the Parks & Recreation park maintenance separate from the general fund.
Seconded by Member King, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Phi 11 ips, Schmi tt, Taylor, King,
Baggett, and Vice Chairman Roberts
Noes: Member Glass
Member Schmitt advised all representatives for the youth organizations to lobby
their councilman on this issue. More general discussion continued afterwhich
Member Glass made a motion to amend the original motion to include that the Parks
& Recreation budget not be decreased by the revenue ccrning in from user fees.
Seconded by Member King, the amended motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
All members present voted aye
None
7 . RECEIVE DEPAR'IMENTAL UPDATE FRCM DIRECTOR.
Ms. Brantl ey gave the following department update:
1) The playground equipment at Perryman Park has all been repaired. The
Athletic Crew of Parks & Recreation will be doing the maintenance on this park
from now on. In mid November they will start repairs on playground equipment at
Lions Club Park.
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2) The sandlot volleyball court is almost complete at Dave Cowan Park.
3) Hired a new Athletic Coordinator, Andy Postema.
4) Will be out of town on October 24th and 25th.
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF ELECTIONS FOR CHAIRMAN AND VICE
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
Member Schmitt made a motion to ncrninate Vern Roberts as Chairman. Seconded by
Member Phillips, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
All members present voted aye
None
Chairman Roberts made a motion to ncrninate Member King as Vice Chairman.
Seconded by Member Schmitt, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
All members present voted aye
None
8. GENERAL ITEl1S OF CONCERN TO THE BOARD.
Member Phillips had a softball question which Ms. Brantley directed her to call
the new Athletic Coordinator about.
Member King told the board about a class for Parks & Recreation Board members on
November l5th sponsored by COG. The class is $50.00 if anyone is interested in
going. Member King also stated she had spoke with J. T. Spears of Little League
on the city getting the field at Taylor Street Park ready for their use as an
option for an additional field. The field will need 6' fencing from the backstop
out to the 1st and 3rd baseline, outfield fencing all the way around, a pitcher's
mound, and an infield. She further added Mr. Spears suggested getting the field
aerated and fertilized this fall.
Member Baggett stated she has a list of every Scout Master in The Colony. She
stated she has not talked to each of them personally yet but it is her
understanding they would like some help from the city on this park. The Scout
Masters attend a Roundtable meeting the first Tuesday of each month in Lewisville
and Ms. Baggett stated she was told you can call and be placed on their agenda at
anytime. She suggested maybe having a board member attend one of these meetings.
Ms. Brantley stated she has a name and phone number of a representative fran the
Girl Scouts, Cindy Underside, who had contacted her. Ms. Brantley stated Ms.
Underside is to contact leaders of the scouts and set up a cammdttee to come back
before the board, adding it is their responsibility to came to us. She also
stated the scouts do not want to lose their park. Member Baggett stated she is
still going to call all of the Scout Masters on her list. Chairman Roberts
stated when the board has decided to invite the scouts to cane before them, a
letter should be sent to the attention of the person in charge of the Roundtable
meetings to give the Scout Masters the opportunity to attend.
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Chairman Roberts asked when adopt a park organizations are invited before us,
he would like the board to have an update of the organization's goals and what
they have accomplished in their parks. Ms. Brantley stated she has a copy of all
the groups 5 year plans and meant to bring these plans to the meeting when the
organization representatives were here, adding she will do so at the next board
meeting when the two groups who were unable to come before the board this
evening, will be here.
There being no further discussion, it was unanimously decided to adjourn at 9:25
p.m.
~~~~
Beverly Nopp, Record~ng Secretary
L (2~~ --
Vern Roberts, Chairman
CITY OF THE COLONY
DEm'ON roJNTY, TEXAS
NOVEMBER 8, 1991
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given of a RmJLAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board of
The City of The Colony, Texas, to be held on Wednesday, November 13th, at 7:30
p.m., at the Recreation Center, located at 5151 North Colony Boulevard, at
which meeting the following will be discussed:
1. Citizens Input.
2. Approval of minutes of October 23rd, 1991.
3. Receive presentation fran Neil Tharpson and Dale Oakes of ''Friday
Night Live".
4. Consideration of recommendation of presentation of ''Friday Night
Live".
5. Review proposal of setting a corporate rate for large organizations
or corporations for entry fee into Stewart Creek Park and rental of
pavi li on.
6. Consideration of corporate rate for entry fee into Stewart Creek Park
and rental of pavi lion.
7. Discussion and consideration of setting Holiday Schedule.
8. Receive departmental update fran Director.
9. General i terns of concern to the board.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the above notice of
of city hall by 5:00 p.m. on
placed on the front door
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
OF THE CITY OF THE OOLONY, TEXAS
HELD ON NOVEMBER 13, 1991
A REXJULAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board of the City of The Col any,
Texas, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following board members present:
Susan King
Kathy Phi I lips
Curtis SclTnitt
Rasco Taylor
Donna Baggett
David Glass
Vice Chairrran
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
and with Chairrran Roberts absent, however a quorum was established. Also in
attendance was Pam Nelson, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, and Councilman
Joel Marks.
1. CITIZENS INPUT.
None.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF Q:TOBER 23RD, 1991.
A motion was made by Member Baggett to approve the minutes of October 23rd, 1991.
Seconded by Member SclTnitt, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Phillips, Taylor Baggett, Glass and
Vice Chairrran King
Abstention: Member Schmitt
Noes: None
3. RECEIVE PRESENTATION FRCM NEIL THCMPSON AND DALE OAKES OF "FRIDAY
NIGHT LIVE".
At this time, Pam Nelson, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, spoke to the
board. She stated Mr. Thall>son had just told her the program was started a few
weeks ago at the new PI ana Rec. Center, and that he has copies of I etters of
appreciation he has received on the program and news articles of other area FNL
programs in the area. Ms. Nel son al so referred the board to her mem:> to Ms.
Brantley that was included in member's packets that had all the information on
the program. Ms. Nelson stated that if the program is irrplemented here, while
the basketball season is going on it would start out on Friday nights until the
end of basketball season and then switch to Saturday nights. Ms. Nelson then
introduced Neil Thall>son of FNL. Mr. Tharpson stated they have worked thru the
cities of Dallas and Plana Parks & Recreation Departments to set up this program
and he has a list of updated references for the board. Ms. Nelson stated if this
program is irrplemented, the rec. center would be closed to the public and open
ani y for this group which is for 9 to 14 year aids. Mr. Thall>son would provide
the staff to run the program, and they will be in charge of all the activities.
They bring in a D. J. for dancing and offer refreshments if wanted. Mr. Tharpson
stated they encourage volunteer participation to help run the program, in
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particular the parents. An off duty policeman would also be hired to work at the
center during this program. Once a child has been registered in each week by
their parents, they are not allowed back out of the building until the parent
cernes back inside to pick them up. The entry fee would be $5.50 per child per
week. Mr. Tharpson stated they also work on setting up a scholarship program for
those children who may not be able to afford the entry fee. The city would get
20% of the total fees. Mr. Thoopson also stated they now have 17 different
locations of FNL. To open a new location, they would need about a 3 month lead
time to get ready. Member Schmitt asked if the board could investigate serne of
the locations to see how the program is going in other areas. Ms. Nelson stated
Mr. Tharpson has also invited her to go to serne of the other facilities to see
what is going on and how the program is operated. Mr. Tharpson stated he feels
the program could grow fran about the first week of about 75 to around 250 - 300
a week (this is a year round program). After all general discussion, Vice
Chairman King moved on to Item No.4.
4. CONSIDERATION OF ~ATION OF PRESENTATION OF "FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE".
Member Schmitt stated he thinks this would be a great opportunity for kids in The
Colony. At this time he made a motion to table this request to give the board
the opportunity to investigate the program and talk to serne of the other
locations where this program is already set up and reschedule this item to the
next regular scheduled board meeting. Seconded by Member Glass, the motion was
approved by the following vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
The board then thanked Mr. Tharpson for caning before them with this
presentation .
5. RE\TIEW PROPOSAL OF SETTING A CORPORAT RATE FOR LARGE ORGANIZATIONS OR
OORPORATIONS FOR ENTRY FEE INTO STEWART CREEK PARK AND RENTAL OF PAVILION.
This was turned over to Ms. Nelson who stated there have been several times when
large corporations have held carpany parties at Stewart Creek Park and one of the
problems is they don't want their employees to have to pay the entry fee
individually to enter the park. The corporation wants to be able to pay a flat
fee. They also don't always know exactly how many vehicles will be going into
the park for their event so it would be easier to pay a flat fee up front. Ms.
Nelson further added this item came about to pranote good will with sane of the
larger corporations such as J.C. Penny, Frito Lay, and EnS, and it would also
help the city out by not worrying about having scmebody at the gate to write out
permits for every vehicle that cernes into the park for a large party. Ms. Nelson
further added EnS recently held a company party at the park with about 160
vehicles entering the park. Since she knew about what time they would be at the
park, she went out to check on how it was going, and wotmd up staying out there
over an hour helping the gate attendant issue permits for the cars as they came
in. The cars were backed up quite a ways waiting to get in. If there was a flat
fee charged, the permits could have been written out and issued ahead of time.
General discussion followed during which Vice Chairman King stated she
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would like to have a work session set up at the next board meeting to work on
stewart Creek Park fees.
6. OONSIDERATION OF OORPORATE RATE FOR E7fI'RY FEE INTO STEWART CREEK PARK
AND RENTAL OF PAVILION.
This item died for lack of motion.
7 . DISCUSSION AND OONSIDERATION OF SEI'TING HOLIDAY SCHEOOLE.
General discussion was held on this item with Member Taylor stating he felt the
board would be holding up making a recoomendation for the FNL by only having one
meeting in November with the next regular scheduled meeting being December 11th,
however a motion was made by Member SclTni tt to have one meeting in November and
December with the next regular scheduled board meeting being December 11th.
Seconded by Member Glass, the motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Phi II ips, Schmi t t, GI ass, Baggett,
and Vice Chairrran King
Noes: Member Taylor
8. RECEIVE DEPAR'lMEm'AL UPDATE FRCM DIRECTOR.
Ms. Nelson stated she had no further updates other then what Ms. Brantley had
incl uded on her memo to the board.
9. GENERAL ITEMS OF CONCERN TO THE BOARD.
Member Taylor stated he wanted to have on the next board agenda about adding
night lap swim at the Aquatic Park for adults. He doesn't feel it is fair for
the Aqua Cats to have total use of the pool in the evenings and adul ts having to
join and pay their fees just to do lap swimning.
Member Baggett stated she has been in touch with the scouts and is on their next
agenda for their Roundtable meeting on December 4th when she will speak to them
about Scout Park.
~eu-e~~ ~
Beverly Nopp, Recording Secretary
.........
~V<>~ \~,~
Susan King, Vice <thai j
CITY OF THE OOLONY
DEm'ON COONTY, TEXAS
DECEMBER 6, 1991
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given of a RmJLAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board of
The City of The Colony, Texas, to be held on December 11th, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. at
the Recreation Center, located at 5151 North Colony Boulevard, at which meeting
the following will be discussed:
1. Citizens Input.
2. Approval of minutes of November 13th, 1991.
3. Consideration of reccmnendation on "Friday Night Live" program.
4. Recei ve updates from "Adopt a Park" organizations.
A. Friendship Park
B. Dave Cowan Park
5. Review and consideration of request from Girl Scout Troop 968 to
adopt Chapnan Street Park.
6. Receive update from Director.
7 . General i terns of concern to the board.
8. Work Session on Stewart Creek Park fees.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the above notice of meet'
city hall by 5:00 p.m. on Dec
placed on the front door of
Secretary
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
OF THE CITY OF THE OOLONY, TEXAS
HELD ON DECEMBER 11TH, 1991
A RmJLAR SESSION of the Parks & Recreation Board of The City of The Colony,
Texas was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following board members present:
Vern Roberts
Kathy Phillips
Curtis Schmitt
Susan King
Donna Baggett
Chairman
Member
Member
Member
Member
and with Members Taylor and Glass absent; however a quorum was established. Also
in attendance was Sylvia Brantley, Parks & Recreation Director, Pam Nelson,
Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, and Cotmcilman Joel Marks.
1. CITIZENS INPUT.
None.
2 . APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13TH, 1991.
A motion was made by Member Schmitt to approve the minutes of November 13th,
1991. Seconded by Member Phillips, the motion was approved by the following
vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
3. CONSIDERATION OF RE:CCMoJEM)ATION ON "FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE" PROGRAM.
Chairman Roberts noted that Members Baggett and Schmitt had visited the "Friday
Night Live" program at the Piano Rec. Center. This item was then turned over to
Pam Nelson, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, who stated the program set up
at Plana is a franchise operation, however Mr. Neil Tharpson had stated to her if
The Colony approves the program it would be handled by him and not be franchised.
Mr. Tharpson was present to answer any questions from the board. Member Baggett
stated she was a little disappointed after visiting the Piano site and thought
they were a little lax with how it was rtm., however since that rec. center is so
hugh she could see how that could happen. She did note the kids did seem to be
having a good time and was irrpressed with the security. She further asked in a
smaller area such as our rec. center how the running of the program would be
handled differently. Mr. Tharpson stated the program at Plana has only been open
for 2 to 3 weeks, however in a small atmosphere you can get more invol ved with
the kids. He went on to say he has had a meeting with those in charge on the
Plana program and one of the iterns discussed was more organized activities.
Member Schmitt asked if the capacity of our Rec. center had been checked into and
Ms. Nelson stated she had and the limit is one person per 15 square foot of space
and the biggest area is the gym which would have a capacity of arotmd 450 people.
Member Schmitt asked if the 20% fees the city would receive from the program be
enough to pay the one person for the Parks & Recreation staff that would have to
be on duty and for the use of the facility. Ms. Brantley stated she felt the
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fees would be enough. Member Schmitt stated if the city were to irrplement the
program he would like to see no less than 5 staff members from "Friday Night
Li ve" working the program, pi us the one staff member from the Parks & Recreation
Department. Mr. Tharpson stated they usuall y al ways have 1 member of staff per
20 to 25 children. Member Schmitt went on to say he thinks this program is
sanething The Colony needs and would be a great program if it is run properly.
He also stated he was very irrpressed with the security. Member King asked if
loitering outside the rec. center would be a problem, and Ms. Nelson stated the
staff of "Friday Night Live" will hire an off duty police officer and that person
will have the authority to take care of this problem. Ms. Nelson stated the
program would be held on Saturday nights since the adult basketball league did
not have as many teams sign up as anticipated. After all discussion, a motion
was made by Member Schmitt to reccmnend approval of the ''Friday Night Live"
program which will be held on Saturday nights. Seconded by Member King, the
motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
4. RECEIVE UPDATES FRCM "ADOPT A PARK" ORGANIZATIONS.
A. FRIENDSHIP PARK
B. DAVE c::D<lAN PARK
Deb McDaniel was present representing Friendship Park. She stated this past year
they have installed grills, a picnic table, and would like to continue with
landscaping by planting sane "hearty" trees in the park. She further asked if
the sprinkler system could be checked out before they plant the trees because it
didn't seem to be ftmctioning properly. She also asked for a "Watch For
Children" sign to be placed by the park, and said the park could use more
benches. Their long term goal is to install a small pavilion which would cost
between $2,000 - $2,500.
There was no representative present from Dave Cowan Park.
5. RE.VIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FRCM GIRL SCOOT TROOP 968 TO ADOPT
CHAPMAN STREET PARK.
Kathleen Patterson from Girl Scout Troop 968 was present. She stated her troop
wants to adopt Chapnan Street Park. They meet on Saturday mornings at Ms.
Patterson's house which is 3 residences away from Chapnan Park. The troop would
like to be able to meet at the park on Saturday mornings when the weather permits
and clean up the park and possibly plant sane flowers in the planter box. They
need to get recognition to receive a national award fro a service project. They
are a young group of first and second graders. Member Baggett asked Ms.
Patterson if they might consider redirecting their efforts to Scout Park instead.
Discussion followed. Ms. Patterson said her only concern is if they did take
over the organization and coordination of Scout Park, would her troop still be
able to get their recognition for their national award. After all discussion,
Ms. Patterson stated she would take this back to the parents of the kids in her
group and discuss it and get back wi th the board on whether they think Scout Park
is too big a project for them ro to go ahead and organize and coordinate the
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park, or to stay with their original plan of asking to adopt Chapnan Park and
cane up with a Master Plan for that park. At this time, Member Baggett made a
motion to table this request tmtil Ms. Patterson gets back with the board on what
she would like to do. Seconded by Member Phillips, the motion was approved by
the following vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
The board then thanked Ms. Patterson for coming before them with her request.
6. RECEIVE UPDATE FRCM DIRECTOR.
Ms. Brantley gave the following update:
1) The vall eyball court at Dave Cowan Park has been dug and pol es set. Ken
Leverich, Public Works Superintendent, stated it has been too wet to take
the dmp truck in to finish drainage, put sand in and put nets up.
2) Playground equipnent at Lions Club Park is going to be rearranged in a
cluster similar to Perryman Park in a cooperative effort between Public
Works and the Athletic Crew of Parks & Recreation.
3) Will be overseeding field #7 at Turner Street Park.
4) Member King asked Ms. Brantley about progress at football fields,
reseeding of Bridges Park, and irrigating Taylor Street Park.
7. GENERAL ITEMS OF CONCERN TO THE BOARD.
Member Baggett went to rotmdtable meeting with scouts and talked to them about
Scout Park.
Chairman Roberts reminded the board about the upcoming Parks & Recreation Board
Training Session on December 13th. He also noted an article in the last edition
of The Colony Leader about a Scuba Class Member Taylor will begin teaching, and
stated he would like to congratulate Member Taylor in his continuing efforts in
education and training. Chairman Roberts also stated to the board he has an
issue he wi II be bringing up at the next board meeting when everyone is present
and he wanted the board to be thinking about it. It's concerning conduct of
board members in relation to associations or organizations or anything else.
8. WORK SESSION ON STEWART CREEK PARK.
Ms. Brantl ey stated this carne about because the ci ty had received several
requests from large ccrrpanies wanting to hold ccrrpany parties at Stewart Creek
Park asking to be given a flat fee that would include entrance to the park and
rental of pavilion, and she feels the board needs to cane up with sanething that
would be feasible. After all discussion, Chairman Roberts asked the board if
they were in favor of a corporate fee and they were all in agreement. The board
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noted that staff should be in charge of how the fee is established and asked
Ms. Brantley to check with other area parks to see how they handle fees for large
carpanies. This will go back on the January 8th agenda for a recommendation from
the board.
There being no further discussion, it was unanimously decided to adjourn the
meeting at 8:55 p.m.
~ Yu.w
Beverly N p, Recording Secretary
~L~rnen.