Min 03/11/2008 283
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Wichita Falls, Texas
Public Library Room 205
March 11, 2008
Item 1
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas held a special meeting and joint
meeting with the Mayor's Steering Committee and the Park Board at the Public Library, 2nd
Floor, Room 205, 600 11th Street on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Lanham Lyne - Mayor
Councilors
Glenn Barham -
Michael Smith -
Dorothy Roberts-Burns -
Rick Hatcher -
Charles Elmore -
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Lydia Ozuna - City Clerk
Absent
Ray Gonzalez - Mayor Pro Tern
Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.
Item 2
Mr. Dave Clark provided an overview of the work completed by the firms of T.I.P.
Strategies along with Freese & Nichols, Inc. regarding their research and findings on the Local
Plan Update — Parks & Recreation Plan, Defense Diversification Plan, and Downtown Plan. He
noted this meeting would focus on the Parks & Recreation Plan update which would be
followed by a question and answer session. Mr. Clark stated that the Defense Diversification
Plan and Downtown Plan are actually separate projects but the ultimate goal is to develop one
comprehensive document that incorporates these new plans along with an overview for each
existing City master plan to provide a one-stop resource that will eventually be adopted by the
City Council.
Mr. Clark stated the mission today is a discussion of park development and he
introduced Mr. Dennis Sims with Freese & Nichols, Inc. and Dunkin, Sims, Stoffels, Inc. who
gave a presentation on the Wichita Falls parks, recreation and open space.
Mr. Sims highlighted existing park amenities that are a major asset to the City, of
particular interest were the hike & bike trail and Lake Wichita. He provided information on
several possible projects such as public-private facilities; splash pads, open space, and dog
parks. Mr. Sims commented that the Park Board Master Plan was very well done. He stated
that we are behind in the open space acquisitions. Also, we need to have maintenance staff for
our parks. Mr. Sims pointed out the current Parks & Recreation Master Plan extends through
2011 but should be updated every five years as an opportunity to reassess community needs
and goals for the parks & recreation system.
Mr. Sims suggested various possible enhancements and ways to better utilize Lake
Wichita as an asset and benefit for quality of life with increased interaction between people and
nature. His suggestions included planting aquatic vegetation to attract migratory birds, wildlife
sanctuary, walk-ways across and into the lake; concerts in the park, potential for an
amphitheatre on the lake, development of a historic settler area, pavilion rental, create habitat-
islands for regional attractions.
284
In response to questions, Mr. Sims provided the following information and ideas:
Lacking in the parks system is a recreation center
Use the mountain by the Lake as an amphitheatre.
"Field of Dreams" type project with public-private partnerships with the City,
where City provides the land and partner organizations provide a percentage of concessions to
the City.
Neighborhood parks should have five to ten acres with pavilions, small loop trail,
recreation equipment but no baseball fields; tennis courts because the traffic and lights are
disruptive to adjacent residents. Important to identify open space along major thoroughfares,
creeks/tributaries or railroads for future use by adjacent neighborhoods and for linkages to
existing hike and bike trails.
Additional suggestions and ideas were discussed relating to parks, recreation and open
space.
Mayor thanked Mr. Sims for his presentation and expressed appreciation to those who
attended and participated.
Mr. Clark informed attendees there would be additional community meetings held on
April 8 and April 22 with the consultants to present the draft final recommendations regarding
the Defense Diversification and the Downtown Plan-Parks Plan and Local Update at this same
location.
City Council adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of Mro 2008.
7T
MAYOR
A TEST:
Lydia Ozuna
City Clerk
NOTICE OF MEETING
Special Meeting Of The Mayor And City Council And Joint Meeting With
The Mayor's Steering Committee And The Park Board Of The City Of
Wichita Falls, Texas, To Be Held At The Public Library, Second Floor,
Room #205, 600 11th Street, On Tuesday, March 11, 2008 Beginning At
3:00 P.M.
City Council: Mayor Lanham Lyne, Councilors Glenn Barham, Michael
Smith, Dorothy Roberts-Burns, Rick Hatcher, Ray
Gonzalez, and Charles Elmore.
1 . Welcome And Call To Order By Mayor
2. Presentation By Freese & Nichols, Inc. On Their Research And
Findings On The Local Plan Update (Parks & Recreation Plan),
Followed By A Question And Answer Session.
3. Question and Answer Session
11 . Adjourn
Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is possible through
the main entrance at 600 11th Street. Spanish language interpreters, deaf
interpreters, Braille copies or any other special needs will be provided to
any person requesting a special service with at least 24 hour notice.
Please call the City Clerk's office at 761-7409.
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board
at Memorial Auditorium, Wichita Falls, Texas on the day of
2008 at o'clock (a.m.)(p.m.).
City Clerk