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Park Board Minutes - 05/23/2002Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting �- • May 23, 2002 Municipal Auditorium City Council Conference Room 1:45 p.m. Presiding: Gary Patrick/Chairperson RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date Time l Members Present: Gary Patrick, Kenneth Haney, Al Norris, Mark Howell, Ed Godsey, Clark Waters, Steve Chaney, and Matthew Bohlen. Members Absent: Barbara Green, William Barnes and Elmer Emory. Staff Present: Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson City Council Representative: Johnny Burns CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 1:45 p.m. The minutes of April 25, 2002 were put before the board. Motion was made by Mark Howell to accept the minutes and seconded by Ed Godsey. Approved unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT: Wood Memorial Park Excavation was awarded Tuesday, May 21s' by Council for about $65,000. Trail Connector under the FM 2380 Bridge should be going out for bid the early part of next week, so we will soon go to council for award of that contract. It is going to be a bit more than the $285,000 that was appropriated from the 4B sales tax account, but we will just wait and see how the bids come out. The Lake Wichita Park name change was approved and the contractor is back on site and the three -mile compacted gravel trail should be finished in a couple of weeks. The hill in Lake Wichita Park is progressing; it is at about 43 feet now. Flowers are going in for the summer and we are learning from our last bid. We will be bidding for the fall flowers a lot earlier than in the past. We are applying for a trail in Hamilton Park through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It will cost about $125,000. It will extend the concrete trail where it ends now at the parking lot of Hamilton Park Tennis Center and go to the restroom building in Hamilton Park. At this point it will change to a compacted gravel trail. We have a proposal from the University Kiwanis Club for a new sign at Kiwanis Park. We have the first Trail Tram rental scheduled for the 8th of June. The Budget has been submitted and we have a number of above current requests. OLD BUSINESS: A. Evaluation of priorities of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Recommended no change in priority. B. Boat ramp area property acquisition status. Negotiation will proceed on this property and there will not be a condemnation process. Negotiation will also proceed on 4 other lots that have a local owner and no structures on them. This is proceeding slowly but it is moving along. C. Discussion of plaque in recognition of Jaycee Park improvement efforts of the Junior Chamber of Commerce group in the 1950's. Mr. Jack Murphy and his department heads came up with the following recommendation for a plaque. In 1956 the City Council changed the name of this park from Lake Wichita Park to Jaycee Park. This action was done to encourage the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Wichita Falls to help develop recreational opportunities for the benefit of citizens. During the following years the Jaycees were successful in providing the resources to clear the area of significant brush that blocked a view and access to Lake Wichita resulting in improved fishing and boating enjoyment. In 2002 the park was renamed Lake Wichita Park in recognition of renewed interest in recreational development of Lake Wichita. 2002 Matthew Bohlen suggested adding to the beginning when the park was originally developed. It was also suggested that Mr. Jack Murphy touch base with Mr. Thacker to see if he approved of the wording. When the plaque is ready to unviel there will be some sort of celebration and the known remaining Jaycees will be invited. NEW BUSINESS: A. Presentation by C.A. Thomas of a petition to consider acquisition of land north of Seymour Highway and east of Tanglewood Blvd. For a regional park. Linda Ammons on behalf of the residents of the Tanglewood area submitted a petition signed by 375 homeowners requesting this area be purchased by the city for a regional park. Mr. Murphy also included that purchasing this land could help complete the trail going around the city to Lucy Park. There was a discussion on funding possibilities and possible usage of the area. Al Norris made the motion to accept the petition and that the Parks Department explore funds available for this project. Clark Waters seconded the motion. Approved. B. Discussion of status of the Dog Park Association to lease the old Boat Club site on Lake Wichita. Jack spoke to Mr. Riley and he explained that the Dog Park Association is still trying to secure an IRS 501CP Classification. They are waiting on the IRS. C. Request by the Convention and Visitors Bureau for waiver of Sec. 82 -68 of the Code of Ordinances to permit possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the area immediately around the fence of the Log Cabin in Lucy Park during an event September 15, 2002. Kenny Haney made the motion to grant waiver to permit alcoholic beverages. Clark Waters seconded the motion. 7 approved, 1 opposed. D. Request by Special Olympics Texas -North Texas Area for extended reservation privilege of the two TESCO park ball fields from 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 29 through October 12, 2002 for a four -team softball league with the condition that softball make -up games and tournament rentals not be restricted. Mark Howell made the motion to approve and Clark Waters seconded the motion. Approved. OTHER BUSINESS: ADJOURNMENT: THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:25 P.M.