01.11.2018 Parks & Rec Minutes1,SPER
TOWN OF
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"A Place Where Everyone Matters"
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order by Rick McGrath, Chair, at 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Board
108 W. Broadway St., Prosper, Texas
Town of Prosper Municipal Chambers
Thursday, January 11, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Board members present: Rick McGrath, Chair; Rebekah Land, Vice Chair; Gina Kern, Secretary; John
Metcalf; Chuck Smith; and Stephen Thomas.
Amy Bartley was absent.
Staff members present: Dudley Raymond, Director of Parks and Recreation; Paul Naughton,
Landscape Architect; Matt Furr, Parks Supervisor; Julie Shivers, Recreation Services
Coordinator; and Patty Kendzie, Senior Administrative Assistant.
2. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes from the December 7, 2017, Parks and
Recreation Board meeting.
Motion to approve by Metcalf, second by Thomas. Approved 6-0.
3. Comments by the Public.
There were no comments by the public_
4. Discussion with staff regarding spring urban forestry events.
Raymond gave examples of urban forestry events and requested Board input about a Prosper program.
Land suggested a tree contest, such as "find the biggest tree." The Board agreed. Raymond said staff will
move forward on the idea. Board members deferred to staff expertise to pick the type of tree.
5. Update on Tree City USA submissions.
The submission for Tree City USA been turned in and a response is expected in March or April 2018. If
Prosper is awarded Tree City status, the Town will receive a sign and recognition. Raymond said the
emphasis should be on moving forward in the process, not solely on the award.
6. Discussion of attendance records and requirements for Board members.
McGrath discussed the attendance records of Parks and Recreation Board members during 2017. Smith
brought in supporting documentation for his absences. Thomas moved that Smith's reasons and
explanations were acceptable and Board members unanimously agreed.
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7. Informational items.
a. Recreation Update
Shivers described the ITT Community Challenge and encouraged the Board to register and earn points. A
Community Workout is scheduled for January 20, 2018, which will earn 5,000 contest points as a
Sanctioned Event. The workout location is Frontier Park, yet if the temperature dips below 40, the event
will be moved to PISD's multi-purpose facility. On February 24, 2018, the 9t' annual Prosper Fishing
Derby will take place at the pond at Frontier Park. Sponsorships are being solicited. Fish have been
ordered. Youth Tennis begins next week; Soccer Sparks in late January; and Adult Tennis and Archery
after Spring Break. Camps and classes will be offered throughout the summer.
b. Park Development Update
Naughton said equipment has been installed at Lakewood Preserve and the park will be complete this
month. Frontier Park North is nearing completion; synthetic turf and landscaping should be complete by
early February, depending on the weather. Staff will let the Board know about a ribbon cutting ceremony,
which possibly may coordinate with baseball's opening day. Work continues on tree mitigation ordinance
updates, which will be presented to Town Council later this month.
C. Parks Operations Update
Furr said crews continue to mulch discarded Christmas trees and put them to good use on the tree farm,
which currently has about 150 trees. He invited the Board to visit the tree farm, located due west of
Cockrell Elementary School. Work continues to move rock off-site prior to PISD stadium construction.
Lacrosse begins next week. Practice will start on the southwest corner and then shift to Frontier Park
North. Thomas inquired about field demand and stadium construction. Smith requested a 2018 parks tour
be scheduled, as last year's was insightful and provided a good overview of the facilities.
8. Discussion regarding any miscellaneous business or items to be placed on future Agendas.
Regarding field demand and PISD stadium construction, Raymond said staff meets weekly, on
Thursdays, with district officials. The discussion at today's meeting centered on parking. The ISD is
trying to work with the Town, yet their priority is to complete the project. Pogue has offered to come back
with a new approach in response to Town staff comments. Preliminary work is complete. This item will
go to Town Council soon, as stadium construction may begin in February 2018.
Staff met with the Prosper Youth Sports Commission (PYSC) in December 2017 to discuss alternatives
for parking at Frontier Park during stadium construction. It was expected a schedule would be created
during that meeting, yet the topic was moved to January 2018. Several ideas have been presented to
address the parking challenges, including moving the youngest players to Eagles Landing, instituting
some type of shuttle, cutting back on games and moving locations.
Raymond said it's extremely important for all coaches to be on board. They are the ones to adequately
explain the growing pains to parents that will last for one season, two at the most.
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Thomas asked about the strategy for parking and suggested the Parks and Recreation Board own the
project. He asked if Board members may attend PYSC meetings, citing concern that the season will begin
without a policy. He said his principal concern is that parking is not a nightmare for residents. Raymond
agreed and said he will check the by-laws regarding Parks and Recreation Board members attending the
meetings. Currently, Mayor Smith, Councilman Korbuly (also the PASO representative) and Drake Dunn,
past Parks and Recreation Board member, attend the meetings. Raymond said the PYSC was put in place
to deal with these types of issues. Land said parking issues at Frontier Park are not new.
Thomas proposed the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board attend PYSC meetings. McGrath agreed,
said he could be available, and asked Raymond to check the by-laws.
Land said it's her understanding the Parks and Recreation Board is here to support the staff. She said the
Board discussed out -of -district youth sports fees in 2017 and she asked if there was progress in this area.
Raymond said new rental rates were approved, yet a fee increase was not addressed. McGrath said there
is Board interest in creating some type of control with the organized sports in Prosper to recapture some
revenue.
Raymond said he will re -send to the Board the spreadsheet he previously presented -- which addressed
growth numbers in youth sports -- so new Board members have the opportunity to review it. He requested
the topic be placed on the February 2018 Parks and Recreation Board Agenda.
McGrath asked about scheduling a parks tour early in 2018. Raymond said staff will send three potential
dates to the Board for consideration.
9. Adjourn.
Motion by Land, second by Smith. Meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Approved 6-0.
Gina Kern, Secretary
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