7-27-2015 MinutesSCHERTZ PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: July 27, 2015
Minutes
LOCATION: 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas
Bob Andrews Conference Room in City Hall
Board Members present: Johnie McDow, Chairman, Mark Davis, Eric Haugen, Harriet Higgs,
Jeff Sanna and Fae Simmons
Staff present: Brian James, Executive Director Development Services, and Chuck Van Zandt,
Park Manager.
Call to order. Meeting was called to order by Johnie McDow, Chairman at 5:34 p.m.
Hearing of residents:
Mr. Robert Brockman address the board, asking if this was the appropriate time of the year to be
trimming trees and asked if there was a final decision on the renaming of the Park at Woodland
Oaks. Mr. Van Zandt responded the current round of tree trimming that was being conducted was
suitable for the species of trees that were involved. Additionally, Mr. Van Zandt states that the last
recommendation from the Board regarding the Park at Woodland Oaks was to retain the current
name with no changes. Any changes to an established park names would require approval from the
City Council, usually, following a recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board.
Regular Agenda:
Agenda Item No. 1. Minutes. Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes
from the Jun 22, 2015 regular meeting.
Motion was made to approve the minutes from the June 22, 2015 Schertz Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board regular meeting.
Motion: Fae Simmons
Second: Harriet Higgs
Ayes: Fae Simmons, Johnie McDow, Chairman, Mark Davis, Eric Haugen, Harriet Higgs
and Jeff Sanna.
Nays:
None
Abstains:
None
Approved:
6 -0
Agenda Item No. 2. Update on Doggie Park. Mr. Van Zandt provided an update on the Doggie Park
and informed the Board that the date for the dedication was still to be determined. Fae Simmons
inquired on the feasibility and process for donating items, such as trees, benches, etc. for the Doggie
Park. After discussion by the board, the board recommended the city arrange a joint meeting
between the staff, the Parks Advisory Board and the Parks Foundation to explore options to provide
a mechanism for the members of the community to make donations for city parks.
Agenda Item No. 3. Participation in the El Camino Trail 300 year anniversary celebration.
Fae Simmons addressed the Board regarding the possibility of participating in the El Camino Trail
300 year anniversary celebration. Mr. Sanna offered to assist with additional research regarding
participation and possible activities, such as the creation of a time capsule to commemorate our
participation, should we choose to participate. First action to be taken by the Board will be to
research membership requirements, if any, for the organization and to further clarify Schertz's
proximity to the El Camino Trail route and any links to its history.
Agenda Item No. 4. Practice fields and open spaces.
Mr. Van Zandt provided an update on practice field locations, specifically providing an update on
the practice locations behind the city complex and adjacent to the animal shelter. He briefed that
that area is now under contract mowing and should be maintained in better condition for team
practice sessions. Mr. McDow stated that he would coordinate with BVYA to assess the layout of
backstops to ensure the best utilization of the area. The board discussed the potential to develop
additional dedicated practice areas in other locations, such as Forrest Ridge Park, Ashley Park and
open space adjacent to the North Community Center, in order to meet the goals and objectives
identified in the recently adopted Parks Master Plan. City staff agreed to assess additional locations
and return at a later date with recommendations for the board to consider.
Agenda Item No. 5. Tree trimming at Oak Forrest Park Cut Off Park and Woodland Oaks Park
Mr. Van Zandt provided and update on the recent tree trimming contract at these three locations.
Work is essentially complete and the Park Staff is pleased with the work and outcome of the
initiative. The parks staff will continue to assess the need for additional trimming where necessary.
Agenda Item No. 6. Mosquito spraying in Schertz.
Mr. Van Zandt provided an update, indicating that public works had determined that, in spite of the
recent rains, mosquito spraying was not required at this time in the city.
Agenda Item No. 7. Parks and Facility Maintenance Update Mr. Van Zandt updated the Board
with the following information;
• The Dog Park ribbon cutting is TBD and a contract is being worked to provide
additional ADA parking adjacent to the park.
• Weed control is on -going
• Tree trimming at three parks is essentially complete.
• Landscaping contract for the Maske Soccer Complex was awarded to Maldonado
Nursery. Installation of the playscape will come after landscaping has been initiated.
• ADA walkway at Pickrell Park is complete and worked well during the Jubilee. The
city is exploring option to additional walkways in the other half of the park.
Requests and Announcements:
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:
Continued update on potential locations for practice field locations within the city.
Review options for participation in the El Camino Trail Anniversary Celebration.
Agenda Item No. 9. Announcements by Advisory Board Chairman and members
Mr. McDow provided an update on the recent tournaments hosted by BVYA at the city fields and
the success of Schertz Teams throughout the tournaments.
The next Parks Board meeting will be August 24, 2015.
Adiournment: Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:58p.m.
Motion: Mark Davis
Second: Jeff Sanna
Ayes: Mark Davis, Harriet Higgs, Johnie McDow, Chairman, Eric Haugen, Jeff Sanna and Fae
Simmons.
Nays:
None
Abstains:
None
Approved:
6 -0
/A
hairman, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Recording Se retary, ,City of Schertz