9.27.2021 MinutesSCHERTZ PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
DATE & TIME: Monday, September 27,2021; 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Bluebonnet Hall at 1400 Schertz Parkway
Board Members Present: William Bosch, Vice - Chair; Reginna Agee; Sally Macias; Floy Simmons; Robert
Sheridan III; Carol Yauger; Shawn Moore
Staff Present: Lauren Shrum, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services; Analyse Miranda,
Parks Board Secretary
Others Present: James Snow; Theresa Spiess
Call to order: Meeting was called to order by Mr. Bosch at 5:32PM.
Hearing of residents: Theresa Spiess appreciated the Ed- Zoo - Cation event this past weekend and is
thankful for the Parks Department for putting on such a fun event for the community. James Snow is
thankful for the invite to the meeting for Mr. McDow.
Regular Agenda:
Agenda Item No. 1. Minutes: Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes from
July 26, 2021 meeting.
Motion to approve the July 26, 2021 minutes as recorded of the Schertz Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board regular meeting:
Motion: Floy Simmons Second: Sally Macias
Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 Abstains: 0
Approved: Yes
Agenda Item No 2. Discussion and /or action regarding the conversion of the Wendy Swan Memorial
Park Pool to a Splash Pad:
Ms. Shrum presented updates on the Wendy Swan Memorial Park Pool to renovate into a Splash Pad. She
stated that postcards were sent to approximately 3,000 households in the surrounding area that directed
them to an online poll with 3 options to choose from. There were 254 responses with Option 3 receiving
50.8% of the votes. The next step is from Ms. Shrum to present to City Council for final approval.
Mr. Sheridan commented on liking the design. Mr. Bosch was concerned with the low participation rate
but after further discussion, it was determined that the participation rate was average for the city.
Agenda Item No 3. Update regarding Ashley Pak Phase III Improvements including the addition of a
picnic pavilion and playscape feature:
Ms. Shrum stated that approximately 3,000 postcards were sent to the surrounding area that directed
them to an online poll with 4 playscape options to choose from. There were 174 responses with Option 3
receiving 44.3% of the votes. A picnic pavilion will also be added to support the demand for reservations
The next step is from Ms. Shrum to present to City Council for final approval. There were no comments
from the Parks Advisory Board and the Board was content to move forward.
Agenda Item No 4. Update on progress on the Schertz Trails system:
Ms. Shrum presented an update on the Schertz Trails system. The Schertz Pedestrian Routes & Bike Lanes
Project is still under construction and currently working on the sidewalks near Live Oak with a completion
date of November 2021. The trail portion was paused due to an alignment re- evaluation but will resume
shortly. Once completed, there will be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.
The trail easement agreement with Cibolo Valley Baptist Church has been sent to the church and will be
presented to City Council on September 28th. Once agreement has been countersigned, construction can
begin with a task order with an on -call concrete company.
Next steps are to further the trail by connecting to Riata neighborhood trail system and to contact the
school system to connect the Riata and Belmont Park neighborhoods.
The Board did have questions about how the trail connects to FM 1103 and where it goes from there and
Ms. Shrum confirmed that it will connect to the future FM 1103 pedestrian improvements planned by
TxDOT and users will have to cross FM 1103 at the intersection with Chelsea /Old Wiederstein to continue
on to Northcliffe and the Homestead neighborhoods. Easements would have to be acquired from the old
golf course property and whatever develops in front of Homestead. For now there is an existing
connection to the on- street sidewalk network in the Northcliffe neighborhood.
enda Item No 5. Discussion and /or action on priority projects for the FY 21 -22 budget:
Ms. Shrum presented the goals of the Parks Department project based on the FY 21 -22 budget. The list
includes Crescent Bend Automatic Gate (from FY 20 -21), Ashley Park Phase III Improvements (from FY 20-
21), Construction of FM 1103 segment of Great Northern Trail (from FY 20 -21), Hilltop /Homestead Park
Design & Grant Administration, Wendy Swan Memorial Park Pool Conversion to Splashpad, Wendy Swan
restroom repairs, Thulemeyer Park Renovations, Dog Park refresh and Schertz Trail Signs.
Ms. Shrum stated Crescent Bend Nature Park's project has begun.
The developer is working on Hilltop /Homestead Park design on Homestead side and the appraisals for the
HOA's properties came in higher than original estimate so the city will not have to provide as much money
for the grant match. Next steps will be to name the park and to submit a grant which is due October 1,
2021.
Thulemeyer Park renovations were presented to include parking additions and improvements, electric
and restroom being brought up to code and ADA accessible and aesthetics enhancements. Mr. Bosch
requested a well- designed and thought -out parking lot with flow. Ms. Shrum confirms there will be a
significant increase in parking spots and that staff has worked with the Engineering Department to
maximize flow, eliminate unnecessary and non - compliant entrances, and improve the visitor experience.
Resident James Snow stated that the biggest problem currently in the space is truck drivers parking in this
area and believes this will help the problem. Ms. Shrum stated that these renovations are necessary due
to the increased use of the park over the years by leagues, and how it serves as an auxiliary parking lot for
special events at Pickrell Park.
Mr. Bosch inquired about the budget spreadsheet usually presented to the board every year. Ms. Shrum
confirmed that this year she shared the information in a more viewer - friendly format but can share the
spreadsheet at the next Parks Board Advisory Meeting. She confirmed the Parks Master Plan has not
changed from the previous years and the priority list has not changed. Ms. Shrum reminded the Board
that a new Parks Master Plan will be developed as part of the City's Comprehensive Use Plan and that the
Planning Department is currently working on the Request for Proposals for this project.
Agenda Item No 6. Announcements by Advisory Board Chairman and Board Members:
Kimberely Smith has officially resigned her position on the Parks Advisory Board.
Requests from Advisory Board for Future Agenda:
The Board requests further information and a spreadsheet of FY 21 -22 projects.
Announcements by City Staff:
Upcoming City events —
Dunkin' for Pumpkin — October 2nd
Nature Discovery Series —October Stn
Candy Cruise — October 30th
Adjournment: Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 PM.
Motion: Shawn Moore
Ayes
.Approved: Motion approved
Second: Sally Macias
Nays: 0
Abstains: 0
Chair /Vice- Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Recording Secretary, City of Schertz