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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/08 CDC MINUTES THE COLONY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SPECIAL SESSION MAY 15TH 2008 PRESENT: Don Beckel - President Stephen Sohn - Treasurer Debby Short - Secretary Lisa Leary - Member John Sanders - Vice President TeRon Lawrence - Member David Munden - Member STAFF: Pam Nelson Keith Helms Kathy Neal COUNCIL LIAISON: Allen Harris 1. CITIZEN'S INPUT - Kevin Braby - 3919 Harper Dr., The Colony - Kevin gave an update on the Christmas Spectacular event. There was a meeting of volunteers and they discussed new display ideas, sponsorships, making the trees brighter, and getting started earlier. This year the power usage may be greater. There are some transmission line issues to be resolved. A preliminary cost to fix the electrical needs is $10,000 but Kevin said he would meet with Pam to discuss options and he would be coming back to the board to askfor financial assistance to get the electrical issues fixed. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 12TH 2008, APRIL 1ST 2008, APRIL 8TH 2008 AND APRIL 10TH 2008 - Motion to approve - Sanders; second - Sohn; motion passes. In the Strategic Plan, on the Improve quality and appearance of parks and public spaces worksheet, John Cooper's name should be omitted because he no longer works as a County Extension Agent, it shouldjust read County Extension Agent. 3. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF KALEIDOSCAPE PROJECT PRESENTED BY THE LAKESIDE ARTS FOUNDATION - Christi Martin spoke on behalf of the Lakeside Arts Foundation. The Lakeside Arts Foundation (LAF) wants the board to help fund the Kaleidoscape project. LAF will be responsible for the design, construction, cleaning and maintaining the glass and R Delta is donating their services for structural engineering needs. The panels are 16 inches wide and will range in height of 4ft., 6ft., and 8ft. and the size of the base is 3ft. CDC would be responsible for placement, landscaping and lighting. There would be a maintenance agreement between CDC and LAF. LAF would like to place the first group at Greenway Park. The costfor 3 units is $6,435.00 to be paid by LAF and the costfor the base (stone foundation) is $6,000.00 to be paid by CDC which includes stone and masonry work, wiring and light installation and landscaping around the base. Pam suggested that LAF and the CAB (Cultural Arts Board) make a presentation to City Council and the Cultural Arts Board ask City Council for HOT funds for this project and if CDC wants to give funding also, that would be added to the presentation. Allen said this could be a questionable use of HOT funds as it does not meet the second criteria for using HOT funds; this project does not bring people into the city for an event thus making them stay in our hotels over night; it does however qualify for 4B funding. There was concern that the cost estimates given tonight were to preliminary. A location has not been determined and that will have an impact on the cost. Pam reminded everyone that a public hearing will have to take place as well as the 60 day comment period after the public hearing before money can be spent on this project. The board can advertise the public hearing and LAF can get better cost estimates and decide on a location during that time. A motion was made to proceed with the public notice for public input on moving forward with initial placement at City Hall based on the budget information given tonight - Lawrence; there was no second but a suggestion was made to include both sites - City Hall and Greenway Park in the motion. A motion was made to move forward with the Kaleidoscape project for the city and scheduling a public hearing - Lawrence; second - Short; motion passes. 4. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RELATING TO VARIOUS TRAIL PROJECTS- Pam and Keith make presentations to City Council regarding CDC projects. There is concern among some board members that the board members should start making the presentations to City Council and Pam and Keith can be present for support and to answer questions ifneeded. This should help reinforce that the project is not a Parks & Rec. project, but is a CDC project. The board agreed and they will begin making project presentations to City Council and Pam and Keith will continue to provide guidance and information. The revised trail plans have been taken to the Corp for review. Dale Cheatham, City Manager, is giving a financial presentation to City Council and he will discuss the trail and operation / maintenance. 5. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF LIONS CLUB PLAYGROUND PROJECT- New structures to the playground include swings, intensity structure, spinner and a swift twist. It will take 6- 8 weeksfor the new equipment to arrive and approximately 2 weeks to install it. The equipment isfor 5-12 year olds. New benches will also be ordered. There will be money available for landscaping. Motion to approve new playground structures, new benches, and landscapingfor the Lions Club playground project not to exceed $75,000.00 - Sanders; second - Lawrence; motion carries. 6. RECEIVE OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET FOR 2008 - 2009 - This budget is subject to change. Pam said there have not been any transfers out for any projects; it is best to spend money that has already been allocated. The board also wants to wait to see the end result of the Master Plan. 7. CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING A PORTION OF THE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, REC CENTER AND COMMUNITY CENTER SITE DEVELOPMENT - City Council directed Chief Clark to get plans for revisions to the Police Dept. During this process ordinance issues, parking issues and drainage issues have been identified; additional parking is needed and that will have to be constructed close to the Little League Fields, and they also have drainage issues that need fixed. They are currently interviewing construction contractors and Halff Associates is doing the site plan. Dunkin Sims & Stoffels is doing the landscaping plans and Keith has asked Dennis to give him a proposal to do a Master Plan of the Kids Colony area and other elements that we may want to add in the future. Dennis will work with Halff Associates to incorporate that into the site plan. The Police Dept. plans to take a design to City Council in August. Motion to approve funding a portion of the engineering services for the Police Dept., Rec. Center and Community Center site development - Sanders; second - Munden; motion passes. 8. DISCUSSION OF P ARTICIP A TION IN FUTURE LANDSCAPING AND SOUNDW ALL UPGRADES FOR FM423 - Pam and Keith have asked Carter & Burgess for a proposal and design concepts for the sound walls along 423. The board is not being asked to fund the entire project; TXDOT will pay a portion of the cost. The board expressed interest to participate in the project but requested more information before they commit to the project. 9. DISCUSSION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN - The 4B Ballot is now included in the plan. This can be used when the board meets with City Council for a work session. 10. UPDATE FROM DIRECTOR- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- We continue to see an increase every month in the sales tax and have since the program was implemented; there are many cities that have not. HISTORICAL BRIDGE - Bid packets have been mailed and bids will be opened on May 20th. We will get Oncor to help install the bridge - they are concerned about getting a pier truck in because of the power lines. There will be some service interruption when the installation begins. The bridge will be refurbished in Whitesboro and then moved to The Colony. MONTHLY MEETING SITE - The consensus of the board is to relocate the monthly meetingfrom the Municipal Courtroom to the Community Center. DOG PARK- The committee needs to decide on a location for the board to consider. The committee has also been working on fundraising ideas, CDC MASTER PLAN - The questionnaires are being mailed to all residents in the May water bills; we have started getting some back in the mail. These will be tracked separately. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. " Jr. ..f'~~ ~&7! .. Ka y Neal,r Recording Secretary ~-~~ ~~ ~ Don Beckel;1>resident