Park Board Minutes - 01/29/2009Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
January 29, 2009
W.F. Recreation Center
Room 202, second floor of the Library
60011 "' Street
1:30 p.m.
Presiding:
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
City Council Representative:
CALL TO ORDER:
Alan Donaldson /Chairperson
Alan Donaldson, Mary Ward, Sharon Roach, Robert
Riddle, Peg Marquardt, Ben (Chip) Filer and John
Hirschi
Elmer Emory and Penny Miller
Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
Jim Ginnings
Meeting was called to order at 1:31 p.m. The minutes of December 11, 2008
were put before the Board. Ben (Chip) Filer made the motion to accept the
minutes as written. Mary Ward seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
Election of officers for the 2009 year: Robert Riddle nominated Alan
Donaldson for re- election as Chairperson. Ben (Chip) Filer nominated Peg
Marquardt for re- election as Vice - Chairperson and Alan Donaldson nominated
Robert Riddle as Secretary. Sharon Roach made the motion to accept the
nominations as presented and Ben (Chip) filer seconded the motion.
Approved unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
I. Last week the City Council has their Annual Planning Workshop.
Councilman Jim Ginnings stated that he brought up to the City Council that
he would like to see a project begun at Lake Wichita. He would like for the
Park Board to consider support for lake improvement and bring to the city
Council something specific. Mr. Ginnings wanted to know if there would be
any State funds that would be available in this project. Jack Murphy stated
that the Texas Parks and Wildlife does have a grant program and there are
about three categories depending on the purpose of the grants. One of the
requirements on the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant program is to have an
approved Open Space Plan that will allow extra points for an application.
This plan must be updated every five years. At the next Park Board
meeting staff will have some suggested updates for our plan.
Alan Donaldson wanted to know if the $600,000 grant maximum was per
grant or per project? Jack Murphy believed that they have a ruling of one
admission per city per grant cycle. There are two grant cycles per year.
The City can also take advantage of local foundations and trusts.
2. The City did purchase the 80 acre property off Seymour Highway. Mr.
Ginnings would like to see us focus on connecting the 80 acre property to
Lucy Park by trail.
3. Winter tree planting is going well. We have about 300 trees to plant mostly
replacing dead trees. About 60 of those will be planted in a joint project
with Planning Department, Parks, and Public Works to improve the street
scene along Scott Street and 6"' Street.
4. The Parks Department removed the restrooms and the concrete walls and
sidewalks next to the time capsule in Harold Jones Park. They were
removed because of problems experienced with homeless persons finding
this a convenient place to sleep, go to the bathroom, and graffiti. The time
capsule remains under the concrete slab.
S. At the Sports Complex the concrete slab for the maintenance building will
be constructed in February.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report of Park Improvement Committee.
The committee met about 2 — 3 weeks ago with Dave Clark and his group,
looking at the purchase of land for future parks west of town. Dave Clark
showed a map of the land in question and gave an overview. There was a
discussion on how the surveys at Lake Wichita are going and how we
could get this land set aside for future parks.
Alan Donaldson made the motion to designate the area of land between
Sisk Road and Gregg Road (dimensions provided by Dave Clark) to be
purchased for future park land. Chip Filer seconded the motion and it was
approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Alan Donaldson suggested that there be a committee, other than the Park
Improvement Committee, be formed to focus just on Lake Wichita. It was
agreed that a Lake Wichita Committee be formed and the volunteers for
this committee will be Robert Riddle (Chair), Chip Filer, Peg Marquardt, and
Mary Ward.
2. Request by Tex Mex Baseball league for license for extended reservation
privilege for the ball field in Spudder and Williams Parks in 2009 for their
adult baseball league.
Mary Ward made the motion to approve the request and Chip Filer
seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
3. Request by Josh Dann for commercial rental of the Disc Golf Courses in
Lucy Park and Lake Wichita Park.
Chip Filer made the motion to request staff consider preparing a draft
rental agreement for the Disc Golf Courses and the Skate Park. Sharon
Roach seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
OTHER:
Chip Filer informed the Park Board that Wichita Falls Streams & Valleys had
their first Wichita Falls Marathon on the off road trail and had about 150 people
attend. Everyone complimented their off road trail system.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Signature:
Alan Donaldson /Chairperson
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