01.29.25 Parks & Rec, CEC Joint Work Session Minutes5911
OWN OF
pRtSPER
A Place Where Everyone Matters
Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order at 5:38 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Board Members Present:
Daniel Knox, Chair
Bob Benson, Vice Chair
Kari Castro
Kyle LaFerney
Parks & Recreation Board Members Absent:
John Metcalf
Valerie Little
Kim Shamsy
CEC Committee Members Present:
Kristin Meier, Chair
Soprina Reeves, Vice Chair
Kimberly Smith
Kari Willis
Andy Franco
Sean Boardman
Committee Members Absent:
Stacy Cate
Jai Muthu
Darlene Morton
Gretchen Darby
Annie Bunger
Councilmembers Present:
Amy Bartley
Staff Members Present:
Todd Rice, Communications Director
Myrisa Petty, Community Engagement Coordinator
Robyn Battle, Executive Director
Dan Baker, Parks and Recreation Director
3. Discussion Regarding Town Events.
MINUTES
Parks and Recreation Board and
Community Engagement Committee
Joint Work Session
Prosper Town Hall, Council Chambers
250 W. First Street, Prosper, Texas
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Ms. Meier shared the role of the Community Engagement Committee. They consider
themselves a think tank for the Town by providing feedback from residents and
brainstorming ways for the town to better engage with residents. Council Member Bartley
mentioned that the CEC had met in September and October in 2024 to talk about the special
events calendar and suggestions for 2025. Mr. LaFerney gave a brief overview of the special
events and the audiences they were targeting. Ms. Castro gave insight into the behind the
scenes workings of event planning. Mr. Baker mentioned how a goal of his and the Parks
Board is to be able to finalize and present the special events calendar to follow the fiscal
year rather than the traditional calendar year. Because of this, the decisions for the next
year's events tend to be decided the summer before for budgeting purposes. Ms. Willis
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commented on how 2024 felt very fall heavy with events and that residents, in particular
parents, got burned out. Mr. Knox pointed out that the upcoming Downtown Block Party in
the spring and the lack of Freedom Fest should allow for two large music based event
spaced out throughout the year rather than one right after the other. Ms. Smith asked about
a cultural aspect being added to a special event to show off the diversity of Prosper. Mr.
Benson shared that it is planned to be integrated into Celebrate Prosper with the thought of
being similar to the community stage at the Christmas Festival. Mr. Baker asked the CEC to
suggest talent if they know them and to share contact information if they can so it is easier
for staff to book diverse acts. It was mentioned that sharing the contact information allows for
saved time and better productivity. Ms. Willis asked if there are plans for more events in
downtown to which Mr. Baker answered that they are in talks with a third -party vendor to
start having various sip and shop and night markets downtown in 2025. Ms. Reeves inquires
about the Active Adult Fair and mentioned that the CEC had brought up that exact type of
event as something to be available for active adult residents in Prosper. Mr. Baker gave a
brief background on the Active Adult Fair and how it was very well attended in 2024. Both the
CEC and the Parks board commented that they enjoyed talking face to face to better
understand the reasoning for suggestions and decisions behind the events. The
conversation was productive and yielded several ideas to improve communication, including
sharing notes from each CEC meeting with the Parks & Recreation Staff, and developing a
process for the CEC to initiate new ideas with the PARB. Ms. Battle suggested having a
face to face work session biannually to continue the conversation with CEC and Parks
regarding resident feedback. Both committees agreed and suggested meetings for February
and September to become the schedule each year.
4. Adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. on January 29, 2025.
These minutes were approved on February 5, 2025.
APPROVED
Daft [ nox, Chair, parks and Recreation Board
APPROVED
Kristin Meier, Chair, Community Engagement Committee
ATTESTED
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