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2001-09-18 SOUTHLAKE PARKS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MEETING September 18, 2001 MINUTES Board Members Present: President Ralph Evans; Members: Tim O'Conner, Rex Potter (5:00pm), Bobby Rawls, Rick Stacy, Tom Stephen, and Tad Stephens. Staff Present: Director of Community Services Kevin Hugman, Deputy Director of Community Services Steve Polasek, Parks Senior Planner Chris Carpenter, Finance Director Sharen Elam, and Executive Secretary Kim Bush. Agenda Item No. 1, Call to order. The meeting was called to order by President Ralph Evans at 4:30 p.m. Agenda Item No. 2, Executive Session. President Evans announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071, consultation with attorney, 551.072, deliberation regarding real property, and/or 551.073 deliberation regarding prospective gift. Executive Sessions may be held at any time during the meeting that a need arises. SPDC adjourned for Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. SPDC returned to open session at 4:50 p.m. Agenda Item No. 3. Reconvene. There was no action necessary as a result of the Executive Session. Agenda Item No. 4. Public Forum. Rosemary Hutchins, President of Keep Southlake Beautiful, was present to address the Board about the importance of a nature center. She commented that a nature center is an emotional and spiritual gift to the citizens of Southlake. She asked that the Board consider reinvesting the original amount of funds back to the nature center. Carol Lee Hamilton, 1210 Cross Timber Drive, suggested that the Board reconsider using the building donation made to the City for the nature center. She commented that she understood the pressures on the Board from the organized sport groups, but she felt there were thousands of kids in scouts and also senior citizens that could benefit from the nature center. She further commented that the nature center should be in an environmentally remote area of the park as was previously planned. SPDC MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 18, 2001, PAGE 1 OF 4 Jim Anderson, 900 Jenny Terrace, addressed the Board about the old Metro Pool Chemical site that the City had purchased and is now using as a park maintenance storage facility. Mr. Anderson commented that he purchased his home in this area because he understood the City was going develop this site as a park. He suggested that it would not have to be an expensive park but just an open area where kids can play. Rex Potter commented that the Board wanted to purchase additional property at this site and then get rid of the buildings and work towards developing a nice park. He commented that he does not see this happening in the near future due to the lack of funds, but the Board and City Council are working towards this. Board member Stephen suggested that the neighbors might want to look into participating with the City in getting something done. Mr. Anderson commented that he wants to make sure this does not become a permanent facility for parking equipment. Lisa Stokdyk, 720 N. Peytonville, (Park Board member). Ms. Stokdyk told the Board that she was surprised that a large land acquisition was made for organized sports when the Park Board has been told for some time that there is no money. She stated that the nature center project has already begun and the City is not doing right by the donation that was made to the center. Ms. Stokdyk commented that the planned area for the nature center was the best area - next to the Corp property. She further stated that the nature center is something that will be used by girl's clubs, naturalists, Master Gardeners, hiker groups, boy scouts, etc. Rich Coccaro, Lacrosse Varsity Coach. Mr. Coccaro thanked the Board for its efforts in locating a lighted field for them to play on. He commented that Colleyville now has a varsity team and they have a lighted field. He informed the Board that they are anticipating 200 kids to enroll in lacrosse the spring season and expect that the Southlake/Carroll league will be moving up in the division. Cindy Gaither, SouthRidge Lakes, Team Manager for Girl Scouts of Southlake. Ms. Gaither commented that there are over 600 girls involved in Girl Scouts and they have been looking forward to being able to use the nature center in Southlake. She commented that the group has already traveled three times this year to the Fort Worth Nature Center. Ms. Gaither stated that a day camp is desperately needed, and she asked the Board for its support. There were no other comments from the audience during the public forum. CONSENT AGENDA. Item No. 5A and 5B. Approval of Concept Plan for Royal and Annie Smith Park trail improvements and approval of Concept Plan for Bicentennial Park trail improvement. Board member Stephen asked whether or not the City had applied for a grant to help fund the trail improvements - staff stated that a grant had been applied for but was denied. Parks Senior Planner Chris Carpenter explained that earlier in the year a grant was awarded for the equestrian trail, which involved a greater geographical area, therefore an additional request for a grant to build trails did not earn enough points to be consider a priority. Mr. Carpenter also assured the Board that every year, staff would be applying for some type of grant. SPDC MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 18, 2001, PAGE 2 OF 4 Motion was made to approve the Concept Plan for Royal and Annie Smith park trail improvements and the Concept Plan for Bicentennial Park trail improvements. Motion: Stacy Second: O'Conner Ayes: Evans, O'Conner, Potter, Rawls, Stacy, Stephen, Stephens Nays: none Approved: 7-0 Agenda Item No. 6A. Five-year Capital Improvements Projects and FY 2001-02 Capital Projects Budget. Director of Community Services Kevin Hugman reviewed for the Board that at the last SPDC meeting the Board discussed the CIP plan and directed staff to review budget options to allow funding in FY 2001-02 for lighting improvements to the Carroll Intermediate School (CIS) football field for use by the Southlake Lacrosse Association. SPDC also discussed reducing the Nature Center funding to $10,000, and reducing FY 2001-02 land acquisition funding to an appropriate level to gain the necessary $150,000 funding for the CIS field. Staff made these changes to the CIP and no other changes have been made to the plan except for the format. Mr. Hugman also informed the Board that staff would work through JUC to develop an interlocal agreement between the City and CISD for lighting the CIS field. He commented that CISD is planning to put in irrigation so they are looking at also using the fields for some time. Board member Stacy commented (in regard to the nature center) that he understood from staff that the cost to renovate the donated building would be exorbitant. Director Hugman stated that the estimated cost to renovate the existing donated building was $150,000. Board member Potter commented that the Board discussed the concept of taking the Tucker house and converting it into something that could be used for a number of different offices, nature center, equestrian center, etc. He commented that he spoke with Finance Director Sharen Elam and suggested that an additional $20,000 could be moved from the operating fund to the nature center. Board member Stacy commented that the Board is not against doing a nature center, but they need to look at being more responsible and practical before spending that kind of money on a modular building. He suggested that those interested in the nature center look at building something with volunteers much like what was done for the senior center. Ms. Hutchins spoke up from the audience and commented that they prefer to have the nature center located where it is in a remote, environmentally rich, interpretive area near the Corp property - the Tucker building is in a neighborhood area. President Evans suggested that the Board move on with approving the budget keeping in mind that it can be amended. He commented that the nature center will not be ignored - it will be taken care of in some respect. Motion was made to approve the Five-year Capital Improvements Projects and the FY 2001-02 Capital Projects Budget as presented with the understanding that it can be amended throughout the year based on need and available funding. Motion: Stacy Second: Rawls Board member Potter asked whether or not the $20,000 discussed with the Finance Director could be moved from the operating budget to the nature center. Board member Stacy commented that he would not recommend it because there is no plan. SPDC MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 18, 2001, PAGE 3 OF 4 Board member Stephens asked staff if the Lacrosse Association met with CISD to see if any of their fields would be available. Mr. Hugman commented that the association did meet with school officials and they were told that CISD would not be able to accommodate them. Ayes: Evans, O'Conner, Potter, Rawls, Stacy, Stephen, Stephens Nays: none Approved: 7-0 Agenda Item No. 8. Adjournment. Motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Preside Ralph Evans ATTEST: %pUTHCq°° ~lee••eee••• IS" °i~" • V e ~ ~ a i es° , e® e• Kim Bush Executive Secretary ° SPDC MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 18, 2001, PAGE 4 OF 4