PALS Board Meeting, January 8, 2009

Notes from the PALS Board Meeting Minutes, January 8, 2009:

Review and discuss the PALS Board Priority List of Goals and Projects approved at the May 8, 2008, PALS Board meeting.

Sue Compton provided a spreadsheet created by the PALS Board at the May meeting. During the May meeting the PALS Board members ranked each item by priority. Sue’s spreadsheet gave a status of where the PALS Board are with their projects. She also had a list of projects to recommend sending to the Town Council at their annual retreat that says these are the priorities the PALS Board would like the Council’s support on. She said the first item that was not on the original list was the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan update.

Jack Jones explained the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan was a staff goal. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan had not been updated since 2000. Parks and Recreation should have a comprehensive plan updated every five to seven years in order to apply for grants. A consultant would have to be paid to come in and sit with staff and evaluate what the PALS Board has. There may be the need for community meetings, focus groups and work sessions with the PALS Board to review what the Parks and Recreation will need in addition to what they have now. He said with the PALS Board recommendation it could go to the Town Council for their retreat. The Town Council would be informed that the Master Plan is a priority so they can give direction to the PALS Board to act on it quickly.

Sue Compton said the list that was given to the PALS Board had items that fell under different categories. One was the Parks Master Plan. The other was related to the Arts in Flower Mound where the Arts Policy was already accomplished. The third one was related to the Historical Preservation in Flower Mound. Connie Vickers had addressed the PALS Board on some of the projects. The fourth category that Sue wanted to send to Town Council was the 20th anniversary of the trails system. There were a couple of other projects that are on the list that Sue, Jack or some of the Board members have been working on. Sue also provided a second attachment which was a list that she and Jack recommended to provide to the Town Council at the retreat. Sue wanted to make sure that the right priorities were given to the Town Council.

Wayne Farley did not see the Botanical Gardens or the Historical Museum he wanted on the list. Jack said anything that has already been master planned like the Wilson Tract that has the Botanical Gardens would be under the current existing plan. When it is presented publically it will be in the plan and it could have possible timelines, funding and recommendations from a consultant.

Jack Jones added an inclusive playground to the Parks Master Plan list. Item “I” was amended to say “construct an all inclusive playground similar to Kid’s Castle in Highland Village” with a note saying there has been $5000.00 in a special Parks and Recreation fund donated for that project. Jack said it can also be part of the Parks Master Plan.

Sue Compton verified that she had all the corrections or additions discussed added to her list.

The next PALS Board meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2009.