09.05.2019 Parks & Rec Minutes1
1
TOWN O
p S P E'R
"A Place Where Everyone Matters "
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
MINUTES
Special Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Board
200 S. Main Street
Thursday, September 5, 2019
6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Rebekah Land, Vice Chair, at 6:00 p.m.
Board members present: Rebekah Land, Vice Chair, Gina Kern, Secretary; Shannon Crawford; and
John Metcalf.
Cameron Reeves was absent.
Staff members present: Paul Naughton, Landscape Architect; Matt Furr, Parks Superintendent;
Trevor Helton, Recreation Services Coordinator; and Patty Kendzie, Senior Administrative
Assistant.
2. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes from the August 8, 2019, Regular Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Board.
Motion to approve the Minutes by Metcalf. Second by Kern. Approved 4-0.
3. Comments by the Public.
There were no comments by the public.
4. Discussion of Park Development Fee Updates
Naughton said staff has analyzed the current fee structures for Park Development Fees, in response to
Council direction to review the fees every five years. After review, staff recommends an increase in the
fees so that adequate capital is maintained for the elements necessary to build great neighborhood parks
(for example, playground equipment, trails, basketball courts, irrigation). Naughton stated developers
have been good partners. Staff will attend the Developer's Council on September 9 and subsequently
bring proposed changes to the Town Council. Approval of the changes will result in an Ordinance change.
Kern asked about the development schedule for Sexton Park. Naughton said the CIP indicates design may
begin in 2021, yet this will depend on the needs of the community.
Page 1 of 3
1
5. Informational items.
a) Recreation Update
Helton described the Prosper Community Picnic coming up on September 7. The event will feature
nonprofit booths, food and drinks donated by local churches and service organizations, rides, games,
inflatables, pony rides, and a petting zoo for kids. He invited the Board to volunteer at the event.
Throughout the picnic, Bethlehem Place Food Pantry and Cornerstone Assistance Network NCT will
conduct drives for canned food for the pantry and Christmas gifts for local children, respectively. Land
asked for a review of the charity drives at the picnic prior to the 2020 event.
The 407 Rec Center has been open since August and hundreds of Active Adults have taken advantage of
the space. Fitness classes offered in August were popular and registration is open now for Session H,
which begins the week of November 10. Classes have been added so the schedule is now weekly;
response will be gauged. Registration is also open for youth after -school classes at The 407: Little Yogis
and STEM.
Planning of recreational programs for Spring 2020 is underway. Additional class options arc being
considered and meetings are set with potential instructors.
Kendzie described the new digital newsletter, "The Landscape," designed to convey news from the Parks
and Recreation Department. The newsletter includes information about recreational programs, events and
a special section for Active Adults. Board members requested to be placed on the email roster. Crawford
suggested adding "The Landscape" to the MyProsper app.
b) Park Development Update
Naughton said work continues on the monument sign, with vertical stone scheduled for next week. Also,
the playground equipment has been installed at Star Trace Park, which is scheduled for completion in
October.
Members of the Hike and Bike Trail Master Plan Steering Committee are: Brandon Daniel, Jeff
Hodges, Dave Johnson; Gina Kern, Cameron Reeves, Chris Sanchez, and Kris Wilson. The first
meeting will be in October; members can expect an email with details. A public input meeting will be
held during the November Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board. A Parks and Recreation
Board Workshop is also being discussed.
Naughton also described a collaborative project with the Prosper Garden Club and Texas A&M to do
research on soils and trees at Lakewood Preserve.
Page 2 of 3
c) Park Operation Update
Furr said grass has been pulled on the west side of Prosper Trail due to a complaint. A new chemical
system has been installed at Frontier Park and mowing was increased from one or two times a week to
five days a week. Staff is working through a new maintenance program. Sports leagues begin Saturday.
The Champion Tree Contest will begin September 16 and run through October 7. The Live Oak is the tree
to find in 2019. Residents are encouraged to email a photo of the largest Live Oak they find, along with
the location and diameter, to Furr. The winning tree will be announced at the Prosper Arbor Day
Celebration on November 2 at Folsom Park.
6. Discussion regarding any miscellaneous business or items to be placed on future Agendas.
Naughton said open space in the downtown area is on the Town Council's September 10 Agenda. The
discussion will focus on the need for open space in the areas between Coleman, McKinley, Fifth, and
First Streets.
Land asked for an update on the status of budget requests.
Crawford requested notification when a Parks and Recreation Department topic appears on the Town
Council Agenda.
7. Adjourn.
Motion by Kern. Second by Crawford. Meeting adjourned at 7:01 pm. Approved 4-0.
Gina Kern, Secretary
1
Page 3 of 3