Park Board Minutes - 03/28/2002Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
March 28, 2002
Municipal Auditorium
City Council Conference Room
1:40 p.m.
Presiding:
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
City Council Representative:
CALL TO ORDER:
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RECEIVED IN _
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date �� h
By Time -' Q&Pgn 6
Gary Patrick/Chairperson
Gary Patrick, Kenneth Haney, Al Norris, Mark Howell,
Barbara Green, Matthew Bohlen, Steve Chaney, and
Elmer Emory.
Ed Godsey, Clark Waters and William Barnes.
Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
Johnny Burns
The minutes of February 281h meeting were put before the board. Motion was
made by Mark Howell to accept the minutes and seconded by Al Norris. Approved
unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
Mr. Jack Murphy presented the departmental report on computer.
Wood Park pond excavation: There was no change in this project. We are bidding
it out and it should be about finalized. There are $90,000 dollars of 4 -B sales tax
money budgeted for the project. Putting a concrete edging to stabilize the shore
was deemed to expensive for the budget.
Holliday Creek Trail Connection: This will connect the Holliday Creek trail by going
under FM 2380 to the trail along Lake Wichita. We are having problems staying
under budget with this project. We've suggested a 100 -ft. bridge for one of the
drainage canals, but a bridge would be high maintenance.
Regional Park Site — There has been no change in this project.
Landscaping along US 287 Pond TEX -DOT Project: There will be another meeting
with Tex -Dot on the stone monument sign which will be placed at the pond in the
median along US 287 as you enter Wichita Falls from the south. Tex -Dot will
furnish the stone work wall and the City will supply the lettering.
New tree nursery in Lucy Park — Most of the irrigation has now been put in and the
seedlings will go in next.
Ornamental structure: This structure is now up at the intersection of Kell and
Indiana. Take some time and go by and check it out. The Park Maintenance
department did an impressive job.
South Weeks Park Pond: There has been no progress on this project.
The Jaycee Park Gravel Trail: This trail is funded by a grant from the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department and will be near Lake Wichita. Work is going well and
should be completed soon.
The Jaycee Park Hill — This project is moving along very well and if you go to the
top of the hill you will see a beautiful view of the Lake.
Easter Egg Hunt — The Parks & Recreation Easter Egg Hunt was held on March 23
of this year and over 1,000 children came out to hunt the eggs. A fun time was
had by all.
Kids Fishing Rodeo — Even though it was cold, there were a lot of fish caught at
this event put on by the Parks & Recreation and Texas Parks & Wildlife. We had a
large crowd and lots of fun.
50+ Zone — Instead of the Senior Zone it is now called the 50+ Zone. New hours of
operation are 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Jaycee Park reversion of name change to Lake Wichita Park.
Motion was made by Al Norris to rename Jaycee Park to the original name
of Lake Wichita Park. Matthew Bohlen seconded the motion. Approved
unanimously.
B. Discussion of land for park and open space in or near the proposed Trophy
Park subdivision off Gregg Road. We've talked about the need to have
amenities and obviously would like to think that the developers would be
interested in that need. Jack Murphy was going to see if there would be
any financial advantages such as tax credits for the developers to donate
land for parks. Mr. Murphy talked to the City Attorney and found that any
individual that donates land to the City to be used for a park may use the
fair market value of the land at the time of the gift as a tax deduction.
Deductions can be governed and may be limited by the tax year schedule
depending on the individuals specific tax situation. Mr. Patrick wanted to
make sure if these were deductions or credits. He asked Jack Murphy to
check on this question. Mr. Johnny Burns suggested going to David
Rhone, the developer of this subdivision and be straightforward about what
we would like and ask if he would consider a donation.
C. Discussion of proposed matching grant application to Texas Parks &
Wildlife using the 4 -13 connector trail money on Holliday Creek.
This is the grant received from 4 -13 to connect the two trails. After
discussion of pros and cons it was decided to just use the 4 -B money and
continue with the connection.
D. Boat ramp area property acquisition status.
Jack Murphy spoke to Pat Hoffman and we have not received a response to
our second mailing. Mr. Murphy has asked her to proceed with
condemnation.
E. Determination of open meetings law and posting of agenda of the Park
Board.
Mr. Jack Murphy met with Lydia Torres and she stated that the Park Board
as an advisory board could present proposals that come in after the
agenda has been posted. They may be added in the meeting and a motion
can be made since it is only an advisory board.
F. Discussion and recommendation for City to grant the WFRC Club
permission to mow and irrigate grass around the landing strip in Jaycee
Park. Through staff permission the WFRC Club have been able to mow and
irrigate the grass around the landing strip, but they don't have an official
City Council authorization like was done recently with the YMCA and the
Tex -Mex League mow and edge and park baseball fields. We needed a
motion to give them the authorization to mow and irrigate this area.
Motion was made by Barbara Green to give the WFRC Club permission to
mow and irrigate around the landing strip as long as they comply with City
watering regulations. Seconded by Elmer Emory. Approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Discussion of tax credits available to donor of land to the City for parks and
open space.
See "B" in Old Business.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Elmer Emory stated that he had a design in his briefcase on the type of sign to go in at
Kiwanis Park and wanted Jack's opinion on it. Jack and Elmer are going to get together
and discuss this.
Matt Bohlen suggested a RV Park be put in by the Lake Wichita Spillway. Jack said that
the council has discussed the RV Park for years and felt that this should be in the private
sector. Jack suggested we could designate the area we wanted an RV Park in and
advertise for someone to start a park.
ADJOURNMENT:
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 2:55 P.M.