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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 14612: PARKS & RECREATION OPEN SPACE MASTER PLANP. R. No. 14612 att RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ACTION PLAN RELATIVE TO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur deems "quality of life" as a critical issue for the welfare of its citizens; and, WHEREAS, indoor and outdoor recreational and leisure opportunities are a pivotal element of the "quality of life".concern; and, WHEREAS; the City Council with foresight in order to properly allocate and optimize available resources adopted a Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan ["The Plan"] in 2007; and, WHEREAS, said Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan covers a ten (10) year period; and, WHEREAS, The Plan sets forth the parks, recreation, and open space planning priorities of the City Council; and, WHEREAS, the voters approved 52,000,000 in bond funds for parks and recreation improvements; and, WHEREAS, the staff has recommended an action plan to continue to implement the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan in order to achieve the goals and objectives delineated therein; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE. CITY OF PORT ARTHU72: THAT the facts and opinions of the preamble are true and correct. THAT the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to take all actions necessary to implement the Action Plan subject to the availability of bond funds, attached hereto as Attachment "A" and incorporated herein by reference, in relation to the City of P. R. No. 14612 att Port Arthur Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. THAT the Director of Parks and Recreation incorporate the activities and results of the Action Plan into the annual progress report on the City of Port Arthur Pazks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. THAT a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of ~ A.D. 2008, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, by the following vote: AYES: (Ma NOES: Debris Prince, Mayor ATTEST: Tem Hanks, Acting City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mark So~, City Atto APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: City Manager ~J Interim erect of Pazks and Recreatio ROVED AS TO AVAILABjILITY OF FUNDS: Director of Finance - ATTACHMENT "A" ~~ncra~~l~can TO: Stephen B. Fitzgibbons; City Manager DATE: 03/19/08 Harvey L. Robinson, Assistant City Manager J FROM: Dr. Albert T. Thigpen, Interim Dir. Of Parks and Recreat~ RE: Parks, Recreation, Open Space Master Plan Ref. Action Plan COMMENT INTRODUCTION Thank you for including the Parks and Recreation Department in City's 2008 Bond initiative. Presented hereby is an Action Plan. to further. implement the City's Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan The theme for our activities, programs, and proposals is "...Imagine the Possibilities... " In preparation of this proposal the following were given key consideration:. Priorities of the City of Port Arthur Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan Expressed projects/concerns of Mayor and City Council Expressed projects/concerns of City Manager and Asst City Mgr. Staff identified improvement opportunities within the City of Port Arthur-Parks and Recreation Department Responsibility Arena Based on the foregoing the following project funding allocations are proposed: Indoor Grant match (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) fRec. Center) Goa12, 3,4,5 The City of Port Arthur is a finalist for the 2007 funding round for the subject grant. It is proposed to set aside ~ 250.000 as additional match should the grant be awarded to the City. This will further. enable work on this project. Outdoor Grant Match (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (Adams Parkl Goa12, 4 The City of Port Arthur is a finalist for the 2007 funding round for the subject grant. It is proposed to set aside 250.000 as additional match should the grant be awarded to the City. This will further enable work on this project. Oleander Proiect (Lakeshore Drivel Vision, Goa12 The Oleander was designated the official flower of the City of Port Arthur. by Ordinance 71-54 on July 12, 1971. It has lined one of the City's major thoroughfares, Lakeshore Drive, since, and prior to, its adoption. Historical photographs of the area show the plants providing a beautiful enhancement of the area. Over the past several years the plants have experienced continual problems with development, growth, and flowering. A consultation with Ms. Karen Woodard, Urban Forester, Texas Forestry Service, and analysis by the lab at Texas Engineering Extension Services, reveals that the soil surrounding the plants is extremely heavy in metals. The plants will continue to have the aforementioned problems if left in the current soil. It is recommended to replace the soil where the plants are located with fertile soil using °in ground" planter boxes and to replace those plants which have been severely damaged. This will make the area appropriately beautiful, and welcoming, for visitors and citizens alike. It is recommended to appropriate . 6$ 0,000 for this purpose. Spray arks Goal 2, 4 As the City's "pilot" spraypark, 'the "Spraypark by'the Sea" located in Barbara Jacket Park has been a great success with citizens and visitors. At the time this project was completed, the sitting Mayor and City Council, with concurrence from City Executive Administration, that the placing of other sprayparks would be considered. In as much as the cost of sprayparks varies directly with the size, number of features, and access to water and electricity, the final number of sprayparks is indeed variable. We have requested the company which built the spraypark at Barbara Jacket Park [it was designed and themed m-house] to update the cost therefor. However, we are recommending appropriating $ 225,000 for this purpose and then sizing the sprayparks to maximize number and quality which could be built. by the division, an area where the division's vehicles can be located, maintained, and covered; appropriate office area for division administration, and maintenance of records. ~ , Tennis Court Improvements Goa16, Objective 6A The City's tennis courts are in significant need of re-surfacing and upgrading. It is recommended that this be addressed separately from the park improvements which will be discussed later. The tennis courts are located at various parks throughout the city [Rose Hill Park, Adams Park, Washington Park, and EI Vista Park]. It is recommended to appropriate $50,000 effect resurfacing, rehabilitation, and renovation of the tennis courts referenced with the exception of those at the latter park' skatepark Goa12, Objective 2A As demographic and psychographic variables of resident change, so do the activities in which they wish to participate change. Competitive skating, skateboarding, and cycling have had a steady increase. It is recommended to set aside 7~ 000 to convert the tennis courts at the EI Vista Park to a skatepark. The use of the tennis court would eliminate the cost of preparing a concrete slab for this purpose. This office has been approached about the possibility of donating skatepark equipment which would amplify the impact of the allocated funding. Original concerns regarding the liability of such a facility have been allayed by the writer's discussion with various Park and Recreation Directors, visits to skateparks, and consultation with the City's Texas Municipal League insurance representatives. Park Video Security Systems Goa12, 6; Objective 6A,B During the past several years the City's parks have been the target of increasing vandalism and theft activity. Examples include theft of the underground wiring at the Adams Park Football Field, damage to the Lakeview Pool, the pool house, fence, items thrown in the pool, and "graffitiing" of a number park buildings. Due to the often isolated locations of park buildings and facilities it is difficult to have perpetrators in the act. Therefore it is recommended to appropriate 88 000 to purchase several security camera systems [both fixed and mobile] to use at the various parks and buildings. Although, the Police Department does have some security systems to date it has not been possible to utilize these due to either prior commitment and/or the non-operability of the cameras. Recreation Center Air Conditioner Refurbishment Goal 6, Objective 6A As you are aware, the City's Recreation Center air conditioner system has significant maintenance problems due to its age. Consultation with Mr. Gary Cater; the City's Air Conditioning Consultant, has led to the development of a plan which accrues several advantages for the clients and employees of the Recreation Center. The plan involves the addition of a thirty-(30) ton compressor to the existing chiller which will return it to its original sixty-(60) ton capacity, providing individual five-(5) ton units for the Recreation Center's Assembly Room, mid-building office/exercise room complex, and four-(4) five-(5) ton units for the gymnasium. The net effect of these changes would be to create climate zones, which would allow individual temperature control in these areas [a major complaint now -- especially from seniors due to the entire climate being controlled by one unit], provide back up air conditioning should. one or more of the units fail, and extend the life the Recreation Center's chiller indefinitely. It is recommended that 40 000 be appropriated for this purpose. ADA fHandicappedl Accessible Park Improvements Goa12; Objective 2A, 2F It has been an expressed goal of the Mayor and City Council as well as Executive Administration to improve the quality of life for all citizens. A review of the parks system will clearly reveal a lack of accessibility for those persons who are challenged' pursuant to .the ADA. There are two (2) general approaches to this concern: (1) Select several parks and place ADA approved equipment therein, or (2) select a specific park and place several pieces of ADA approved equipment at the location. Further review will be required to determine which approach is optimal; however, the need defmitely exists. It is recommended that 65 000 be appropriated for this purpose. Dog Park Goal 2 The writer has been approached by several individuals regarding the possibility of placing a dog park in Port Arthur.. Although, such a project has utility for pet owners, it was given a lower funding priority due to emphasis on provision of recreational and leisure activities for "human" residents. However, the advent of the bond passage does provide an opportunity to address this concept. Research has revealed that certain key elements are important in having a dog park: separation of large and small dogs, fenced area, shade, water availability, seating for pet owners, clearly posted rules. A review of various parks indicates several which might be amenable for such. an activity. In looking at park area which currently under-or-non-utilized the area where Lakeview Town Hall was previously located on Duff would be a good location to pilot such a park. Although, many such parks are acres in size, there are some which are smaller. At the recommended location, water would be accessible. A key issue associated with such parks is whether to allow the park to be "a-la-naturelle" or should "scooping" be required. It is recommended we appropriate 25 000 to create a pilot dog park at the referenced location. Park Improvements Goa12; Objective 2A . The parks are in need of various improvements to facilitate their utility; improve their attractiveness and use, and to upgrade their safety. The following allocations aie recommended: - Purchase of Playscape systems for parks with limited.or no equipment: ° Montrose Park ° Washington Park [metal] ° Pioneer Park It is recommended that 9$ 0, 000 be appropriated for this purpose. - Refurbishing of all Playscape systems over two (2) years old. It is recommended that 70 000 be appropriated for this purpose. - The playground, and ancillary [e.g. benches, picnic tables, etc.], equipment at the various parks needs to be assessed for refurbishing or replacement. It is recommended that $110,000 be appropriated for this purpose. - Walking is a recommended physical activity and has increased in popularity with all age groups. The placing and/or refurbishing of several circular/oval walking paths at various parks would increase the park's utility to citizens. ° Small oval walking path at EI Vista Park ° Small Oval walking path (Park to be designated) It is recommended that 5$ 2,000 be appropriated for this purpose. Cricket Fields Goa16; Objective 6A, 6D The City's cricket field is in need of updating. It is recommended that 50 000 be appropriated for this purpose. SoccerFields Goa12; Objective 2B Hurricane Rita, and the aftermath thereof, had effectively closed the previous site where soccer league activity took place. As the City decides on which location it would like to invest in soccer fields and with whom rt wishes to partner, it would be prudent to set aside funding to assist in the project once a determination is made. It is recommended that 150 000 be appropriated for this purpose. Continency Prudent consideration of the significant variability in the materials and labor commonly used in Parks and Recreation construction projects necessitates setting aside funs to deal with changes in cost estimates, unforeseen project barriers or opportunities, and project scope. It is recommended $ 350,000 be appropriated for this purpose. **Alternate Project** Parks Maintenance and Office Building Goa12,'Objectives 2C, 2D, 2E The "Parks Division" of the Parks and Recreation Department has long been "housed" in a portable building inside one of the garages of Public Works Department. As previously stated, this "second hand" locale directly impacts the morale and performance of the division. It is reasonable and prudent to place the division in accommodations which provide reasonable parity to that afforded equivalent divisions in other departments. It is recommended to set aside $168,000 erect apre-fabricated building on the western end of the Operations Center area which would include a climate controlled meeting area for division members, secure area for storing of the various tools utilized Summary The table below summarizes the initial proposal for the bond initiative approved by the voters. As indicated, the proposal as presented has been modified to note citizen input as received from survey responses. We invite you to join us in "Imagining the Possibilities" Parks and Recreation Department 2008 Ten Year Action Plan Initial Proposal Summary Table Indoor Grant (TPWD) Match $250,000 Outdoor Grant (TPWD) Match $250,000 Oleander Pro~ect $60,000 S ra arks $225,000 Tennis Court Im rovements $50,000 Skate ark $75,000 Park Video Securit Systems $88,000 Recreation Center A/C Im rov. $40,000 ADA Park Im rovements $65,000 Do Park $25,000 Park Im rovements Var. Parks $322,000 Cricket Field $50,000 Soccer Fields $150,000 Contin enc $350,000 Total $2,000,000 **Alt. Pro~ect** Parks Maintenance/Ofc Bld $168,000