Park Board Minutes - 04/26/20010
Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
April 26, 2001
Municipal Auditorium
City Council Conference Room
1:40 p.m.
Presiding:
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date s`04-0
By - -- Time —a1;3bP1
Gary Patrick/Chairperson
Members Present; Gary Patrick, Kenneth Haney, Al Norris, Mark Howell,
Bob McBee, Ed Godsey, William Barnes, Linda Bates
and Matthew Bohlen
Members Absent: Barbara Green and Clark Waters
Staff Present: Jack Murphy, Glenn Jamison and Genice Wilson
City Council Representative: Dan Shine (Absent)
CALL TO ORDER:
The minutes from March 22, 2001 were put before the board. Al Norris made the
motion to accept the minutes and Mark Howell was the second. Approved
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Discussion of proposal to amend the ordinance to permit motorized
vehicles on trails for handicapped persons.
The board recognized Mr. Sidney Smith and Wife. Mr. Smith told the board
about the trouble he and his wife were having on the trail just because they
wanted to enjoy the outdoor scenery like everyone else. Mr. Smith and his
wife are both handicapped and need to use a golf cart in order to get
around on the trails.
Kinley Hegglund, the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Wichita Falls,
explained to the board where the city stands legally on this matter.
This issue was discussed in detail by the board and Mr. Bob McBee made
the motion that we recommend to the City Council that the ordinance to
permit motorized vehicles on trails be adjusted to include electrical
operated golf carts or similar electrical vehicles by permit for named
individuals only. The Parks and Recreation Department will issue these
permits annually. Al Norris seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
B. Discussion of policy of grass practice ballfields requested by Rick Brown.
Rick Brown came before the board requesting permission to maintain the
practice field at Hursh Park. The board discussed the the request and it
was decided that Mr. Brown meet with Jack Murphy, the Director of Parks &
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Recreation privately and together they will come to a conclusion on what
should be done, or what can be done.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
The trail train project is finished and we are waiting on concrete work on the
section of trail between the MPEC and Williams Park to widen it. We hope to get
this done in order to take the board, city council and media on a trial train run.
T -21 should start hopefully this week on the spillway at Lake Wichita, which is a
three mile trail that will go all the way along the shoreline.
The CDBG trail is at least % way finished. This is a one -mile trail from Eastside
Drive to East Scott.
We have been authorized to extend the trail at Hamilton Part to the parking lot.
The Parks Department was given a mid year supplemental mowing program which
will authorize two temporary positions for mowing.
The flowers will be arriving about the middle of May. These will be planted in the
intersections, medians and Parks.
The Recreation Summer Programs are short on personnel and need several more
applicants for summer positions.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan was sent to Austin. We
are waiting on the council to adopt this Master Plan. Hopefully this will be
done at the next meeting.
Mr. Patrick thanked everyone involved in getting this plan put together and
sent off. A special thanks to Glenn Jamison for all his work, you did a very
good job.
Mr. Gary Patrick wanted to know who was responsible for the repairing of
boards in the bleachers at the tennis centers. Mr. Murphy said that that job
was the responsibility of the Parks Department. The Pro at each tennis center
calls Lisa Jensen and tells her what the problem is and the Parks Department
then takes care of it.
Regarding an outdoor theater at Jaycee Park, could we have the dirt delivered
there from Sikes Lake, which we can get at this time and use it later? Jack
Murphy said that he would check into the matter and find out if that would be a
possibility.
The tree planting program will be addressed at the next Board meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Al Norris wanted to remind everyone that the City Council Meeting would
be next Tuesday and the Master Plan would be presented to the members. If
at all possible it would be good to some Park Board Members there.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:55 P.M.
THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 24, 2001 IN THE CITY
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM.