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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2010 CDCMINUTES THE COLONY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR SESSION APRIL 8TH 2010 PRESENT: Don Beckel - President STAFF: Pam Nelson Stephen Sohn - Member Keith Helms - Absent John Sanders — Treasurer Kathy Neal TeRon Lawrence — Vice President Lisa Leary — Member Dan Mahle — Secretary Kathy Braby - Member COUNCIL LIAISON: Allen Harris 1. PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT ON KIDS COLONY PLAYGROUND DESIGN CONCEPTS — Keith introduced Molly Walters from Dunkin Sims & Stoffels and Greg Hawkins from Landscape Structures Playground Equipment. Molly explained that the first phase of the playground will include the playground structure and infrastructure; other amenities such as apavilion andpicnic structures will be added in future phases. Landscape Structures was chosen as the vendor to purchase the playground equipment from because of their reputation for design detail and long lasting equipment; they are able to combine an authentic theme based on what the interest is but also create a lot of play value. Some of the concepts on display include a city scape theme, rural theme with a fort -type concept, castle theme, nautical theme, and natural play. The natural play theme is anew concept —it gets kids back into the forest and woods. It is a tree house system with randomly placed planks made of a high density plastic. They use recycled content in their materials, and with each design, they generate a recycle content document. They partner with Global Releaf to plant trees to offset the carbon footprint of the materials they manufacture. To use a 100% recycled material is very difficult to do, it changes the longevity and being able to have a warranty on the materials. Veronica Emmerson, 4551 West Lake Highlands - Veronica is the Student Council President at Stewart Creek Elementary School. She read a letter she wrote to the Mayor about Kids Colony Playground. In her letter she described her plan of partnering with other schools with each doing their own fundraisers to raise money to replace the play structures — but with wood structures; she is a staunch supporter of wood. She also suggests using volunteers to rebuild the park as a way to promote good citizenship. She is going to read her letter at the City Council meeting on April 8`" The planks in the park that have names on them will be incorporated into the design of the new playground. Glen Jewel — He worked on the original playground and is looking forward to what is going to be done. He is president of Playsafe Inc., a playground manufacturing company. He has lived here 18 years. He has been trying to speak with someone in the City for 15 years to discuss what he could do for the city he lives in, but has not been given that opportunity. He said he met with Keith and gave him numerous catalogs but was never contacted after that. He also represents Progressive Design Playgrounds, a playground manufacturing company in California that manufactures recycled plastic structures. He wants to be considered on this project and other projects, and at least be given the opportunity to submit ideas/proposals. The audience shared these ideas to be considered — • Use recycled materials • Don't use the nautical theme as many people seem to be partial to the castle theme • Retain the historical element • The structure should be more open — not closed in There was discussion about the community build aspect. Greg said his company can provide a method in which the community can get involved. There can be fundraising. They can design the structure with a plan in place that includes a "supervised build". Time was given to the audience to view all the designs on display and indicate which design they liked by placing dots on the design. The nature and castle theme was selected. The public hearing was closed. 2. ACTION TO BE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING — Pam said we would like to have the playground constructed by the end of Summer and if we do a community build, we would start after the start of the school year so we could get the information to the schools. There will be some manufacturing time and some site work, prep work that will have to be done, but we want to move as quickly as we can. There was a question regarding Mr. Jewel's statements earlier in the meeting, Pam said she spoke to him briefly and informed him there are 3 other playgrounds and the playground at Stewart Creek Park that we will be replacing equipment on within the next year and we would contact him when we get ready to do them and try to use his company for these other playgrounds. We try to rotate playground manufacturers each time we replace playground equipment, and we try to get the best product for each project. Regarding the infrastructure, there is some storm drain pipe we need to add and we'll do some land shaping to buildup the playground so it won't sit in water. We'll decide where the first pod will be and then decide where the sidewalk will be built. Molly said that another master plan will be done to show everything and the costs associated with it. Grading the site will be vital. 3. CITIZEN'S INPUT — None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 11TH 2010— Motion to approve — Sanders; second — Leary; motion passes with all ayes. 1 5. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CDC AND CITY FOR TRAIL FUNDING — There is a balance of $1.7 million remaining to be paid on the Shoreline Trail, Park Loop Trail and the Austin Ranch Trail. There is still some landscaping and irrigation that needs to be done on the Park Loop Trail, there is some drainage work that needs to be done on the Shoreline Trail, and we want to replace some sign post on the Park Loop Trail and there is work to be done at the alley closure connecting the Legends Trail. There will probably be money left after these items are completed, so language will be added to the agreement that the left over money can be used towards park projects or other enhancement projects. The agreement also states that the board is required to pay for maintenance costs related to these projects. The first payment is due in September, 2011 with the first payment being $98, 000 and then $130, 000 each year after that. Motion to approve the agreement between the CDC and the City for trail funding — Sanders; Lawrence — second; motion passes with all ayes. 6. REVIEW AND CONSIDER A DRAFT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE LEGENDS HOA FOR LANDSCAPING AND IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE ALLEY CLOSURE AND TRAIL CONNECTION SOUTH OF SLAY/BAKER PARK — The board was given a copy of the agreement at the beginning of the meeting as it was not available until this time. Pam asked the board to review it and send her any comments they may have by 5:00 Monday as it will be taken to City Council on April 20`h The City is abandoning its portion of the alley and deeding it to the Legends HOA. The agreement states that the HOA can't close the alley for 10 years and they agree to keep open the public access between the HOA and City trail for pedestrian and bicycle access. The only way it could be shutdown is if there is a hazard that needs to be repaired. 7. DISCUSSION OF A POTENTIAL WORK SESSION WITH THE CULTURAL ARTS BOARD — Pam, Keith and Don met with the Cultural Arts Board last month and discussed the Stewart Creek Park Master Plan with them, as well as the 423streetscape and sound walls. In an effort to build a relationship with the Cultural Arts Board and learn what their vision is. Pam suggests the CDC Board meet with them and also continues the meetings on a regular basis. The consensus of the board is to have Pam schedule a meeting with the Cultural Arts Board. 8. DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED CDC 2010-2011 BUDGET — There is $325, 000 for enhancements - $75, 000 for Carr/Chapman Park, $100, 000 for Dave Cowan Park, $100, 000 for Friendship Park. We are projecting a 2 %z% decrease in the sales tax for next year. The city is getting a new GIS system that can record all park inventory, asset inventory, irrigation systems and many other things. The Parks & Recreation share of the cost is $5, 000; this will be split with CDC. 9. RECEIVE UPDATE FROM STARFF AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS — FINANCIAL STATEMENT — There was another drop in sales tax in February, which reflects December sales. TRAILS — There is another Trail Ranger class on April 28`h & 29`h. The first day will be classroom instruction and the second day we will be on the trail. L STEWART CREEK PARK IMPROVEMENTS — Pam and Keith are getting bids for roadway improvement. They met with Jim Weathers and he is preparing a proposal for electrical repairs. ARBOR DAY — This year the Arbor Day event will be at B.B. Owen Elementary school with the 5th grade class participating. We will plant new trees and do activities with the kids —leaf identification and leaf rubbings. We have also ordered saplings to give to the children. The Colony has been recognized as a "Tree City USA " — a presentation will be made to City Council at the April 20th meeting. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Kathy Neal, keeording Secretary Don Beckel, President it