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08-22-2011 Minutes SCHERTZ PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: August 22. 2011 Minutes LOCATION: 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas Bob Andrews Conference Room in City Hall Board Members present: Chairman Mustapha Debboun, Aundra Davis, Mark Davis, Samm Henness, Harriet Higgs, Patrick Russell, Floy Simmons and Robert Wallace. Staff present: Councilman Jim Fowler, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director George Logan, Park Manager Charles Van Zandt, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Sandy Bryant. Others present: Fred B. Archer, Bob Brockman, R. Clare Layton, Steven Layton and Joel Tanner. Call to order. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mustapha Debboun at 5:30p.m. Hearing of residents: Chairman Debboun recognized the following citizen who spoke: · Mr. Joel Tanner spoke about a couple and their two children who were visiting the park that he met recently. The gentleman said the area needed to be trimmed to prevent a fire hazard and Mr. Tanner told him it is a nature park. The gentleman explained they like to come out there and shoot rockets. Another person whom Mr. Tanner met had an instrument for tracking where he ran, how fast he ran, how far he ran and then he can transmit the information to let others know about the area. The gentleman noted the outer trail at the park is 1.35 miles long. Mr. Tanner sated this device would provide great publicity for Crescent Bend Nature Park. · Ms. R. Clare Layton spoke about the need for a comprehensive plan for the development of Crescent Bend Nature Park not just the possible visitor's center. . Mr. Steven Layton briefed the board that the Crescent Bend Nature Park Neighborhood Group had presented Bexar County Commissioner, Mr. Tommy Adkisson a copy of Ann Mallard's book on Crescent Bend Nature Park signed by the members of the Neighborhood about a month ago. Mr. Layton read a thank you letter from Mr. Adkisson for the book that he had received. Regular Agenda: Agenda Item No. 1. Minutes. Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the July 25, 2011 Schertz Parks and Recreation Advisory Board regular meeting. The board noted an amendment is needed for approval of the minutes, since one of the members was omitted from the member's present list. The secretary noted this item and will make the amendment to the minutes. Nays: Abstains: Approved: Motion was made to approve the minutes from the July 25, 2011 Schertz Parks and Recreation Advisory Board regular meeting as amended. Motion: Ro bert Wallace Second: Harriet Higgs Ayes: Robert Wallace, Harriet Higgs, Chairman Mustapha Debboun, Aundra Davis, Mark Davis, Samm Hemless, Patrick Russell and Floy Simmons. None None 8-0 Agenda Item No.2. Parks Advisory Board Recognition Committee Report. Chairman Mustapha Debboun said he was still waiting for Ms. Sally Macias submission of someone to be recognized but that she is currently out of town. No action was taken on this item. Agenda Item No.3. Parks Advisory Board Wish List for 2011 Committee Reports. 1. Provide liaisons with other Cities Advisory Boards. Chairman Mustapha Debboun is Chairperson of this committee. He is contacting cities in the surrounding area to determine if they have a Parks and Recreation Board. He has contacted Selma and New Braunfels about their Park and Recreation Boards. Garden Ridge does not have a Park and Recreation Board. He's planning to contact Cibolo, Live Oak and Universal City to see if they have a Parks and Recreation Board. 2. Develop and Post the Advisory Boards Mission Statement on the City's Website. Mr. Patrick Russell is Chairperson of this committee and said he currently has no update. 3. Committee to Audit the Parks Master Plan. No Chairperson had been assigned to this item. Mr. Mark Davis agreed to chair it. 4. Skate Board Park. Ms. Harriet Higgs is Chairperson of this committee and said she currently has no update; she is waiting to meet with the new City Manager. 5. Complete connectivity of Hike and Bike Trails, especially from Forrest Ridge Park to Schertz Parkway. Ms. Aundra Davis is Chairperson for this committee she's planning to walk the trail and come back with recommendations. Mr. Charles Van Zandt is looking into getting permission to use pmi of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) easement to help connect the trails. 6. Hitching rail and Ritchie horse watering fountain at Crescent Bend Park. Ms. Samm Henness is Chairperson for this committee. She is investigating the possibility of putting in the rail using materials that already exist. She's also looking into the cost of putting the fountain near the restroom so they can access the existing water source. Agenda Item No.4. Crescent Bend Nature Park. Mr. Logan discussed the possibility of a visitor's center at Crescent Bend Nature Park. He noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not allow a facility to be built in the flood plain and most of the park is in the flood plain. They are looking into the possibility of putting a park ranger site near the park not in the flood plain that can be used as a visitor's center as well. There was some concern from the Board that major additions in the park might interfere with the wildlife there. No action was taken on this item. Agenda Item No. 5. Youth Activities in Schertz. Mr. Logan said there are several opportunities for youth activities in the area; they can go to the YMCA; BVY A and SYSA provide sports activities for the youth, and there are churches in Schertz that provide recreational oppOliunities for the youth as well. The skate park with sand volleyball courts nearby will provide more youth activities for the youth. No action was taken on this item. Agenda Item No.6. Parks Proiects Updates. Mr. Logan briefed the board that the architect is looking into the best way to move the Playscape and looking at the cost of moving the trees to get ready for the Natatorium. The City met with the School District to discuss their possible contribution to the Natatorium. The soccer facility work will begin with the water/sewer, concession area and parking lot. The City is working on the Animal Services Bond item as well. Discussion only item. Agenda Item No.7. Parks Maintenance Update. Mr. Charles Van Zandt informed the Board that the pool season is over, but the school swim team will continue using the pool until October. Schertz Fest is coming up September 22-24, 2011. The Parks Department is in the process of closing out the budget requirements for next year. Park Worker and former Board Member, Dean Midlick is leaving this month. Discussion only item. Agenda Item No.8. Request by Advisory Board Chairman and Board members for items to be placed on a future Board agenda. The Board requested the following items be placed on future agendas: . Recognition Committee report. . Wish list for 2011 Committee Reports. . Bond updates. . Youth activities update. Agenda Item No.9. Announcements by Advisory Board Chairman and members Chairman Debboun thanked Mr. Logan, Mr. Van Zandt and Ms. Bryant for their support. Mr. Wallace invited all of the staff and board members to Greater Randolph Area Youth Soccer Association's (GRA YSA) open house kick at 10:00am on September 17,2011 at the soccer fields. There were no other announcements. Agenda Item No. 10. Announcements by City Staff. Mr. Logan encouraged all Board members to attend the South Schertz Charrette being held at the Civic Center August 29 & 31, 2011. More information is available at Schertz.com and Ms. Sandy Bryant will email the members copies of the information. Ms. Bryant noted the next board meeting will be September 26, 2011. Adiournment: Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:30pm. Motion: Second: Ayes: Patrick Russell Aundra Davis Patrick Russell, Aundra Davis, Chairman Mustapha Debboun, Mark Davis, Samm Henness, Harriet Higgs, Floy Simmons and Robert Wallace. None None 8-0 Nays: Abstains: Approved: