Park Board Minutes - 06/28/2001Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
June 28, 2001
Municipal Auditorium L
City Council Conference Room
1:40 p.m.
Presiding: Gary Patrick/Chairperson
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
Date (�� � � O I po
By Time
Members Present; Gary Patrick, Clark Waters, Al Norris, Mark Howell, Bob
McBee, Ed Godsey, William Barnes, Barbara Green,
Linda Bates and Matthew Bohlen
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
City Council Representative:
CALL TO ORDER:
Kenneth Haney
Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
Johnny Burns
The minutes from April 2, 2001 were put before the board. Mark Howell made the
motion to accept the minutes and Matthew Bohlen seconded the motion.
Approved unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
Trail projects are continuing, with the three -mile trail that runs from the spillway at
Lake Wichita to Jaycee Park approaching 50% completion. Connecting to this
trail will be the compacted gravel trail funded through the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department which is to begin construction later this summer.
We have another trail project ongoing along Holiday Creek, which is a linear park,
from Eastside Drive to East Scott. This project is also reaching 50% completion.
We have tested and continue to test the trail train. Our inaugural run of the train
will take place by taking council, park board, media as well as MPEC and CVB staff
on a ride whenever we finish the trail from MPEC to Williams Park.
The Recreation's summer programs are going well. The Day Camps filled up very
quickly as well as our swimming classes.
As far as maintenance, we are trying to keep everything watered as best we can
with the limited manpower we have.
OLD BUSINESS:
B. Sikes Lake excavation project.
Dan Williams with MSU was introduced to the Board. Mr. Williams gave the
Park Board an update and handout on the Sikes Lake Pedestrian and
Bicycle Trail and the dredging going on at the lake.
The dredging of Sikes Lake is going well and Mr. Patrick asked about what
would be done with the soil dredged from the lake.. The Parks & Recreation
department could possibly use this soil at a later date at Jaycee Park.
MSU is proposing a longer lighted pedestrian and bicycle trail to be made
in place of the old trail that went around Sikes Lake. The trail will be
handicapped accessible to service that portion of the population and will
connect major thoroughfares, residential area, university facilities and the
Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center.
A. Discussion and recommendation on proposal for motorized vehicles for the
disabled on trails.
Some of our trails are funded by TXDOT and some are funded by the
Federal Government, each has a different perspective on the use of
motorized or electrical vehicles being used on the trails. The Park Board
discussed this and decided they did not have enough information to come
to a decision. Bob McBee made the motion for Jack Murphy to write
TXDOT and FHWA to get in writing the rules pertaining to electrical and
motorized vehicles use on the trails. Once this information has been
received and reviewed by the board than they can make a better decision.
Matthew Bohlen seconded motion and it was approved unanimously.
C. Tree planting program.
This program is going well and so far we have had good growth in the
nurseries this summer.
Trees and shrubs are being put on the Highway medians.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Presentation by WF Radio Control Club.
The board recognized Douglas Powell, Richard Romanek, Ed Taylor, Bob
Capler and his wife. These members of the WF Radio Control Club were
concerned about the increased use of flying radio - controlled airplanes at
Jaycee Park, especially by those new to the hobby.. Along with this growth
comes the possibility of accidents and liability problems. They ask that the
Board pass a regulation to permit each flyer. In order to get this permit
each flyer would have to show proof of insurance.
The Park Board discussed the possibility of a permit but requested the
Radio Club obtain information from other cities that have this already
implemented. Once this information has been obtained then the board will
have something in writing on how it works for other cities.
Bill Barnes made the motion to table this until more information was
received on other cities regulations. Mark Howell seconded the motion and
it was approved unanimously.
B. Discussion of need for July meeting.
Al Norris made motion that the July meeting be a called meeting if
necessary and Barbara Green seconded the motion. Approved
unanimously.
C. The MPEC and CVB requested permission to sell or permit alcoholic
beverages outside the Lucy Park Log Cabin area on August 15' through
the 17th for the Convention of Visitors Bureau Directors. It was discussed
and Barbara Green made the motion to give permission. Bill Barnes
seconded the motion. 9 members approved and 1 member opposed.
OTHER BUSINESS:
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:20 P.M.