Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION REGULAR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING November 15, 2021 (Monday) at 12:00 PM McGuire-Dent Recreation Center 2222 28th Street, Galveston, TX 77550 409) 797-3700 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 11:53 AM PM BY CHARLYN VAIANI. PRESENT: Rose Tijerina (Mayoral), Charlyn Vaiani (District 1), Jami Durham (District 3), Marlee Williams (District 5), Dyann Polzin (District 6) ABSENT: Tad Lewis (District 2), Diana Davison (District 4) CITY STAFF: Barbara Sanderson, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation and Community Outreach Megan Pierce, Recreation, Events, & Project Manager Amanda Collins, Sr. Administrative Assistant & Special Events Coordinator Daniel Thomas, Parks Superintendent Shelia Smith, Recreation Manager Megan McKay, Recreation Manager Kara Harrison, Aquatics Manager Stormy Smith, Assistant Aquatics Manager Review and Approval of Board Minutes: No Meeting held in December 2021. Discussion / Action Items: Update: Committee Chair (Charlyn Vaiani) Charlyn Vaiani welcomed everyone to the Advisory Board Zoom Meeting. Charlyn Vainai stated it is important to know if you are not able to attend due to the numerous amounts of projects that are upcoming. Charlyn Vainai asked about the status of hybrid meetings. Megan Pierce addressed and gave updates. Charlyn Vainai addressed the importance of in person meetings starting in January 2022. Update on Name Designations (Barbara Sanderson) Barbara Sanderson gave an update stating that two requests for Name Designations were received for the 83rd Street Dog Area. Barbara Sanderson updated on the Naming ordinance process that is required to be followed. Barbara Sanderson briefly went over each of the Name Designation requests. Marlee Williams asked for clarification on how the Name Designation requests are received and Barbara Sanderson addressed. Barbara Sanderson stated that a notice of Public Hearing will be posted in the paper. Rose Tijerina, Charlyn Vainai and Dyann Polzin expressed their familiarity with one of the Name Designation designees. Update on Special Events (Megan Pierce) Megan Pierce gave an update on Special Events. Lone Star Rally was completed in November 2021. Upcoming events include Dickins on the Strand, the Annual Holiday Parade from the Police Association, Hogwarts Village at Kempner Park and a Santa Hustle Marathon and 5K. Parks and Recreation will be holding a Santa Drive Thru Express event at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center on Friday, December 17, 2021. Update on Recreation Centers (Shelia Smith and Megan Pierce) Shelia Smith gave an update on programs at Wright Cuney Recreation Center. Youth Basketball League is almost through their registration period. Senior Bingo will be on December 11, 2021. Shelia Smith introduced the new Recreation Coordinator at Wright Cuney, Jami Huygens. Megan Pierce introduced the new Recreation Manager at McGuire Dent, Megan McKay, and the return of Daniel Thomas as the new Parks Superintendent. Daniel Thomas provided a brief update on current maintenance operations. Megan Pierce updated on the maintenance crew second place position in the regional TRAPS Maintenance Rodeo, and we will be sending our team to the TRAPS State Rodeo. Update on Lasker Pool (Kara Harrison) Kara Harrison gave an update on Lasker Pool. The pool has closed for the season on October 31, 2021. The pool completed their first Pumpkin Plunge for the community. Lasker Pool worked with Schlitterbahn and Moody Gardens to host lifeguard  training for them. Kara Harrison updated that a meeting will be held to focus on updating pool fees and becoming a better financial asset. Update on Maintenance and Projects (Barbara Sanderson) Barbara Sanderson provided an update on current projects that Parks and Recreation is working on. Sandhill Crane Soccer Complex meetings are occurring regularly. Vendor information was submitted to Vision Galveston to assist with Jones Park and Shield Park. Barbara Sanderson introduced Amanda Collins, the new Senior Administrative Assistant and Special Events Coordinator. Barbara Sanderson updated on the newly acquired 30 th Street Water Pump building that will be renovated to be rentable for events and hold community events. Public Comment: N/A Council Report: N/A Director’ s Report: Barbara Sanderson acknowledges the benefits of Daniel Thomas rejoining the Parks and Recreation team. The City will receive free trees from Moody Gardens to plant where the new boat ramp will be near their property. Barbara Sanderson will inquire on when City Council will appoint a council member to be a representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Board Member’ s Reports / Comments: Rose Tijerina asked Shelia Smith about the process that occurred to advertise and circulate information regarding the Senior Bingo. Shelia Smith provided an update stating she spoke with churches in the area to spread the work about Senior Bingo. Rose Tijerina said she would pass along the information to other organizations. Kara Harrison introduced Stormy Smith, Assistant Aquatics Manager. Discussion Items for Inclusion on Next Agenda: Next meeting: Next Meeting will be in person on December 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:33 PM Minutes prepared by: Amanda Collins Sr. Administrative Assistant/ Special Events Coordinator