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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2008 Parks Advisory Board MinutesPARK ADVISORY COMMISSION BOARD MEETING MINUTES The City of Plainview Park Advisory Board, as appointed by City Ordinance Number 95-3035, dated, as approved, March 28, 1995, held an open meeting at 4:35 P.M., Thursday, August 14, 2008, in the Council Chambers, 901 Broadway Street, Plainview, Texas. Minutes for this meeting are hereby submitted as follows. ITEM 1. Called to order by Lucile Davis at 4:35 P.M. 2. Invocation given by Joani Chapman 3. Members present were: Lucile Davis, Carlene Kirby, Phyllis Wall, Barbara Ramirez, Gabriel Rodriguez, Joani Chapman, Ruby Riggins 4. Members absent were: Vacancy Precinct #7 5. Recognition of Visitors: Elvia Higgins 6. City Staff present was: Rusty Reese, Park Superintendent; Leslie Pearce, City Attorney; Dale Simpson, Civil Service Director 7. May 08, 2008 meeting minutes were given by Lucile Davis and approved as read. 8. Oath of Office given to Phyllis Wall — term to expire January 1, 2012 9. New Business: none 10. Old Business: A. Frisco Park Improvements presentation by Ms. Elvia Higgins. Ms. Higgins presented a letter to the Board. The letter expressed appreciation of past improvements to the parks. In addition, the letter requested fifty to sixty thousand dollars for renovations and upgrades to Frisco Park. Ms. Higgins went on to say that she has requested an open records request on how much money has been spent on individual parks in the past, and she could not get it. She stated that every park has been updated, except Frisco Park. Therefore, she requested some money be spent in Frisco Park. She itemized the following items as some additions needed for the Park: (1) tearing down the slabs for the basketball court and starting over on rebuilding it; (2) a couple of picnic tables; (3) trash cans but not left over grease cans; (4) rubber seats for the swings; (5) water dolphin; (6) couple of barbeque grills; (7) covers for the picnic tables; and (8) a cover for the table currently in the park. Since she is unaware of the cost of everything on her itemized list presented to the Board, she estimated fifty to sixty thousand dollars would be needed. She said that she knew that the City that she knew that the City spent in excess of this amount for all the other parks. In addition, she stated she was told the Parks Advisory Board has $100,000.00 dollars to use on park improvements. Chair Lucile Davis explained that this is an advisory board and that the board does not even have twenty thousand dollars to spend on improvements. Ms. Carlene Kirby asked Ms. Higgins why she is the only one making these requests and what is her interest in this park. Ms. Higgins replied "I was born there and have property in the area" and that she does not need thirty people behind her to make a request for improvements to Frisco Park. Phyllis Wall asked Ms. Higgins who is on the Barrio Committee. Ms. Higgins replied Lopez, Garcia, Martinez, Gonzalez. Phyllis Wall asked if the committee is a Barrio or a Community Committee. Ms. Higgins replied that it is a Community Committee. Phyllis Wall asked Park Superintendent Rusty Reese if he had any photos of or comments on the usage of Frisco Park. Ms. Higgins asked if this would be taken care or did she need to bring fifty people to support her. Chair Davis informed her that the Parks Advisory Board is strictly an advisory board, and they do not make any decisions for the City. The Board recommends to the City Council, and then, they consider our recommendation. There is a five year master plan that includes all of the parks in the City, and Frisco Park is in this master plan. As a Board, they try to stay as close as possible to this master plan for all of the parks considering the needs, not wants, of these parks. Ms. Higgins asked if the City needed a water fountain on the I-27 park, a gazebo, or a walk way. She continued that all of the parks look completed to her, so now the concentration should be on the Frisco Park. Once again, she stated that she could not get the amount spent in each park from the City for the last ten years. She stated that she had to break things down for her accountants for the IRS, and she asked if she had to go to the IRS to get the answers for the City. Phyllis Wall stated that she felt there was a misunderstanding that no money had been spent on Frisco Park, because money has been spent on Frisco Park. Then, she once again asked Rusty Reese about the slide presentation prepared for the Board. Rusty Reese presented a slide show of Frisco Park and others of equal or greater size parks. Rusty continued by stating park departmental observances in Frisco Park indicate usage is minimal and that the number of children in this neighborhood area is minimal as well. This is determined by the amount of trash collected in a week, ground usage around play equipment, and absence of anyone in the park during maintenance or inspections. Leslie Pearce, City Attorney, also addressed the Board concerning Ms. Higgins' reference to documents that she had not been able to obtain. Ms. Pearce explained to the Board that Ms. Higgins made an Open Records Request for a breakdown of the amount of money spent in each park. She read the City's reply to this request stating that the City did not have the documents requested. Rather, the City did have a general ledger of the amount of money spent for all parks. These documents were available upon the payment of the costs associated with labor and copies. Ms. Davis, Chair, then asked if any of the members of the advisory board wanted to consider any of the items Ms. Higgins presented to the Board. Phyllis Wall next stated that the Park Comprehensive Plan for five years included a covering for picnic tables in Thomas Park, Frisco Park, and the 12th and Utica Park. She asked if the Parks Department could build the coverings in-house at a minimal cost, and Mr. Reese agreed that this could be done. Barbara Ramirez made a motion to have the Parks Department construct in-house one metal picnic covering for the one picnic table in Frisco Park, Thomas Park, and 12th and Utica Park. Motion was seconded by Gabriel Rodriguez. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mr. Reese did state that the plan is to replace the swing seats in Frisco Park also. B. Old Business: Centennial Circle of Honor update and dedication. Chair Lucile Davis asked Phyllis Phyllis Wall to update the Board. Phyllis presented an invitation to the Board with time and date for the dedication. Phyllis went on to say that there is a reception in the Rotary Building following the dedication. Lucile commented that admiration and appreciation to individuals that step forward, volunteer, work hard, and contribute to projects in the community are to be commended. 11. Open meeting for comment and questions. None. 12. Meeting adjourned at 5:05 P.M. ACCEPTED: ATTESTED: Lucile Davis, Chair person Rusty Reese, Park Department