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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.11.1997CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board 'Minutes September 11, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Tom Swift, Chair Ms. Sarah Ruth, Vice Chair Mr. Ben White Mr. Thurman Holt Ms. Debbie McGarry Mr. Wesley Kidd MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Joan Sukup Ms. Joyce Gadison Ms. Ronda Seagraves OTHERS PRESENT: Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Assistant I. APPROVE MINUTES FROM September 11, 1997 A motion was made by Wesley Kidd to accept the minutes from the June 12, 1997, meeting. Debbie McGarry seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. II. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD None III. WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER - THURMAN HOLT Tom Swift, Chair, recognized Thurman Holt as a new member to the Parks and Recreation Board. He will be taking Cheryl Mize's position who resigned earlier in the year. IV. DISCUSSION ON PARK FACILITY NAMING There has been an interest on the part of the Parks and Recreation Board for some time to name two Park Facilities after some recent members of the City Council, the late Winfred Bonner and Mike McMaster. There is also a strong desire on part of the City Council to honor these former members by naming park facilities after them. The Parks and Recreation Board is considering the possibility of naming the new athletic fields on College Street after Mike McMaster and the pedestrian bridge at the switchback and the portion of the trail from the switchback to Blue Hole Park after Mr. Bonner. The board reviewed and discussed the proposal to City Council regarding the naming of the pedestrian crossing at the switchback in honor of Mr. Winfred Bonner and the Athletic Fields after Mike McMaster. After much discussion on the proposals, a motion was made. Debbie McGarry made a motion to recommend to City Council to name the pedestrian bridge at the switchback and the portion of the trail from the switchback to Blue Hole Park after Mr. Bonner and the athletic fields on College Street after Mike McMaster. Sara Ruth seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous voce. This item will be on the City Council Agenda for September 23, 1997. V. UPDATE ON SAN GABRIEL HEIGHTS RIVER ACCESS ISSUE There was no money approved in the budget to purchase land on the San Gabriel River in San Gabriel Heights. Torn will continue to pursue a meeting with the City Manger on behalf of the board to convey the board's feelings about this land purchase for parkland. VI. DISCUSSION OVER POSSIBLE ACTION ON BATTING CAGES Some local businessmen have shown interest in building a commercial batting cage in San Gabriel Park. There is a desire to place those cages close to the San Gabriel Park baseball fields. Potential sites first discussed include the secondary entrance to San Gabriel Park (old putt-putt golf area) and the old nursery land. Neither of these two possibilities were very favorable. Another possibility is at the comer of F.M. 971 and Austin Avenue in San Gabriel Park. The area under consideration is on the outside of the hike/bike trail. The batting cages would be a commercial enterprise. Some board members were concerned with setting a precedence for other commercial businesses wanting to build in San Gabriel Park. Tom Swift noted that the batting cages are a viable enterprise for the-following reasons: (1) parks and recreation department would get a portion of the money that the cages earn, (2) it is in the spirit of the park, and (3) they would turn over cages on a regular basis for the recreation department to use for programs /clinics. Another location proposed by some members was the new athletic complex. This area would allow parking, but not be as visible to the public. Wesley's initial reaction to the idea is that it would be an eye soar to the park, but is open to the idea. Sara believes a more appropriate area would be on private land or at the athletic fields. Tom suggested the board members look at the area on F.M. 971 and Austin Avenue before coming to a decision. There was much discussion on the issue. The businessmen are only in the preliminary stages and will give a full presentation to board at a later date. VII. INFORMATION FROM BOARD MEMBERS AND DIRECTOR Ben asked about status of Berry Creek Pool and Racquet Club. The City still plans on purchasing the facility. Takeover will probably be next year. Thurman Holt has verbal approval from Randy Morrow to have a swap meet on the corner of Stadium Drive and Austin Avenue. He thinks if the swap meet expands, they might need to use the area behind the Recreation Center. VIII. ADJOURN Ben White made a motion to adjourn the meeting.