Park Board Minutes - 01/27/2022 Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
January 27, 2022
W.F. Recreation Center
600 11th Street
Virtual by Google Meet
Time: 1:30pm
Presiding: Jim Heiman
Members Present: Thomas Taylor, Alan Donaldson, Larri Jacoby,
Dorcas Chasteen, Charlie Zamastil, Michael
Battaglino
Members Absent: Crystal Byrd, Sandy Fleming, Jessica Traw, Patrick
Hearn
City Council Representative: Absent: Steve Jackson
Other: Blake Jurecek, Scott McGee, Terry Points (Staff
Liaison)
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Jim Heiman called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from December 9, 2021, were put before the Board for approval.
Thomas Taylor made the motion to approve the minutes and Larri Jean Jacoby
seconded the motion.
3. NOMINATION OF VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Motion to nominate board member for Vice Chairperson by Jim Heiman, 2"d by
Alan Donaldson. Tom Taylor was nominated and elected.
4. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
A. Recreation: Scott McGee
• 50 Plus Zone is averaging 181 members per day until mid-
January, currently down to 154 per day.
• 50 Plus Zone hosted a Christmas with Elvis Lunch for more than
165 members.
• In consultation with the health department, 50 Plus Zone dances
and annual Carnival were canceled for the rest of January.
• Recreation booth at City Lights Parade promoted programs and
activities to over 300 people.
• Increased practice field rentals due to good weather. Revenue
already surpassed annual projection.
• Basketball leagues played through December 17 and resumed
January 3rd. Spring Softball and Volleyball registration is
underway.
• High demand for Community centers and pavilion reservation in
early January. Now receiving many cancellations due to Covid.
B. Parks: Terry Points
• Rotary's new playground construction has started. Weather
permitting; we should have it finished in about 3 weeks.
• Lucy Duck Pond, backhoe crew cleaned out cattails, silt and tree
debris.
• Vehicle accident at 287 Gateway damaged pump, concrete vault
and control for fountain.
• Begin removal of old playground equipment at Kiwanis and
Bridwell.
• Removed all baskets at Lucy Park Disc Golf Course. WFDGA
helped install new baskets.
• Mulching and trimming trees on Blvd/Parks.
• Pansies took a big hit with fluctuating temperatures. Hoping they
will bounce back in spring.
• 60 mph winds took the roof off the clock tower. We removed the
roof structure and it seems fine. We have ordered a new roof.
C. Circle Trail Updates:
• Washouts at the Bluffs cleaned up but will continue to happen
with heavy rains.
4. Parks Review Update
• Parks inventory complete. Lucy and Lake Wichita Park not
included in inventory due to size.
• No parks meet the standards set in the 2010-2020.
• 642 Amenities, Drinking Fountains, Grills and Lighting need most.
• Concern about old playground equipment and backstops.
• Final report will be presented at February meeting.
• Tom thanked members of the committee.
• Larri Jean Jacoby asked if these amenities are part of the budget.
Terry Points explain that the budget has money for replacement
of broken or damaged items to an extent. Budget money can be
reassigned to cover an emergency, but new items would be above
current.
• Larri Jean Jacoby also ask about the role of the Council
Representative in getting funding for park improvements.
• Blake Jurecek Asst. City Manager said city staff research and
information carry most of that burden and their ideas are weighed
against other departments needs and prioritized.
5. Other Business, Announcements, Comments:
• Tom Taylor had questions about the old disc golf baskets. Terry Points
explained that the old baskets are being used to create nine hole
courses at smaller parks.
• Alan Donaldson Welcomed Dorcas Chasteen to the board.
• Dr. Mike Battaglino Thanked Tom Taylor for his work on the Park
Committee and welcomed Dorcas to the board.
• Charlie Zamastil informed the board that he would be moving in July.
• Larri Jean Jacoby welcomed Dorcas to the board and wished Charlie
good luck.
• Dorcas Chasteen asked Terry about the Lake Wichita Park parking lot.
Terry Points replied that the estimated cost would be around 870,000
and that it is an above current budget item. Engineering and council are
aware of the problem. Has been worked on by streets at times but is
damaged
Motion by Dorcas Chasteen to adjourn. 2' by Larri Jean Jacoby
Meeting was ad' rued at 2:04 p
Signature: 1/1YL
Jim eiman (1st Chair Person