Park Board Minutes - 09/25/2014Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
September 26, 2014
W.F. Recreation Center
Room 202, 60011th Street
1:30 p.m.
Presiding:
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
City Council Representative:
Visitors:
Penny Miller /Chairperson
Penny Miller, Stephen Garner, John Fritzsch, Nancy
Howell, Ben Filer, Walter Lambert, Colby Huffman and
Sharon Roach
Jennica Lambert and John Hirschi
Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
Tom Quintero
Stephanie Teakell, Mayor Glenn Barham, Councilor At-
Large Michael Smith
CALL TO ORDER:
Penny Miller called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. The minutes of August 28th, 2014 were
put before the board. Ben Filer made the motion to approve the minutes and Stephen
Garner seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Presentation by Stephanie Teakell, representing the Fire and Police Museum
organization, requesting lease of a portion of South Weeks Park surrounding the
large shelter for their Museum. After the presentation there were several questions
from the Board and concern expressed by the members and staff for the loss of park
open space. Stephen Garner and Chip Filer asked for information on alternative
locations and suggested evaluation of park land east of the shelter area. Mayor
Barham and Councilor Smith expressed support for a museum. No vote was taken
and Chairperson Miller indicated to Ms. Teakell the general opinion of concern by the
Board.
2. Welcomed new member Colby Huffman to Park Board after he was sworn in.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
1. The 50 Plus Zone events for the week included Blood Pressure Clinic, AARP Lunch
Meeting, Arts and Crafts Sale, and the Live Band Dance.
2. The Recreation Department is recruiting for the position of Recreation Program
Coordinator left vacant by Amy McKim.
3. Falls Fest will be this Saturday in Lucy Park. The Mobil Stage will be set up by the
Recreation Department and Park Maintenance has performed the many tasks
previously committed.
4. NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition will be this Sunday, September 28th at the
Memorial Stadium, starting at 1:30 pm.
5. Athletic Coordinator, Travis Pence, attended the TAAF Annual Conference in Waco
last week. Travis is now the Region 8 Director and serves on the TAAF Executive
Board. Wichita Falls will host this conference in 2016.
6. Parks Department has ordered a drinking fountain in Spudder Park that will replace
two others that were stolen. Hoping this model will be more theft resistant.
7. We are looking for ways to use alternative sources of water for irrigation.
8. Lucy Park is prepared for Falls Fest Saturday.
a. The Parks Department delivered 4 sets of bleachers, 50 litter barrels, 11 large
dumpsters, pulled bollards and filled holes at strategic locations, tilled and raked
volleyball courts and center chat parking lot, set 100+ t -posts for volunteer and
vendor parking and valve box protection, applied 75 pounds of Amdro in whole
center area and other high traffic areas for ants, crews are spot checking all of the
park and treating individual ant beds, raised all trees to 6', located and marked all
valves in center.
9. Park Maintenance formed and poured 3 each 15'X15' slabs for Heartland exercise
stations from a Health Dept. grant along Circle Trail. 1 each in Lucy Park, Williams
Park and Lake Wichita Park.
10. The Dumor Bench for Lions Park arrived Wednesday and should be installed by
Friday. Funds donated by Lions Club.
11. Slight delay with the Maplewood tree irrigation pump station. Terry Points had to
become a General Contractor to get the permits required to finish. The pump should
be running next week.
12. Several hundred trees in Parks, ROWs, and Blvds. have been marked for removal this
winter.
13. The Circle Trail alignment from Wichita Bluff Nature Area parking lot to Loop 11 has
been cleared and can now be driven by City staff on 4 wheelers. Some work
continues by the Wichita River near Loop 11.
14. Circle Trail:
a. There is no change on the section along BNSF ROW, Park Board
subcommittee for Circle Trail lead by John Fritzsch may meet this fall.
15. Section along Wichita River:
a. Staff reviewed Phase 1 section from the parking lot to east boundary of Oncor.
Current plan is to advertise phase 1 in October with an award of contract by
City Council November 41.
b. Property Management is continuing negotiation for acquisition of land with RV
Park owner and 4 other properties.
16. No Change on the Section along Lake Wichita.
17. 4B District V Park Improvement:
a. Expressway Village Park Pond: Contractor Luz Lerma may finish excavation
next week and begin installation of the liner. Contractor is 21 days into a 90
day contract.
b. Property Management is continuing efforts to acquire five vacant lots adjacent
to City View Park. They are waiting for property owners to send ownership
documents before title searches are contracted.
18. Fund 280 Account Projects: The Falls Bridge and By -pass Trail and University
Kiwanis Park prairie dog exhibit fence replacement and playground completion may
be presented to City Council after the budget adoption.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Park Improvement Committee:
A. Lake Wichita Study Committee with Stephen Garner.
The Fund Raising Sub - committee met three weeks ago, and they will meet again
on Monday, October 6t". The committee has clearance from City Council to go
forward and move onto the fund raising. $316,000 Is what the project needs for
the studies to be prepared so the City can present an application to the Corp of
Engineers for the 404 permit necessary for excavation and other improvements.
The LWSC is hoping to get an audience with the 4B Sales Tax Board in October.
B. Circle Trail Task Force: Sharon Roach gave John Fritzsch the name of Frank
Anderson to contact with the BNSF railroad. John sent Mr. Anderson an email
expressing the City's desire for a trail ROW on BNSF property in order to
complete the Circle Trail and asking for his help. Mr. Anderson responded that
the request has actually gone on to the BNSF general district manager and is
being reviewed. The BNSF Railroad's concern is still the liability issue.
OTHER ITEMS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 2 :55 pm.
Signature: `
Penny Miller /C rpers