The Ledger

Fate Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - January 2, 2024

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Meeting Date: January 2, 2024
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

  • Chairman Tiffany King called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
  • A quorum was confirmed.

Board Members Present:

  • Tiffany King (Chairman)
  • Virginia Harris
  • Barry Brafman
  • Michelle Dominique
  • Mayowa Ijaebemi

Board Members Absent:

  • Shawna Shultz
  • Lyndsay Sine

City Staff Present:

  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Ashley Martin, Community Services Coordinator
  • Samantha Harris, Deputy City Secretary

2. Citizen Comments

  • No citizens were present wishing to speak.

3. Approval of Minutes (December 5, 2023)

  • Board Member Barry Brafman moved to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2023 meeting.
  • Board Member Virginia Harris seconded the motion.
  • Vote:
    • Ayes: King, Harris, Brafman, Dominique, Ijaebemi
    • Nays: None
  • The motion carried unanimously.

4. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Schedule – Calendar Year 2024

  • Steve Gilbert provided an update regarding the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting schedule for calendar year 2024.
  • The following meeting dates were presented:
    • January 2
    • February 6
    • April 2
    • May 7
    • June 4
    • July 2
    • August 6
    • October 1
    • December 3
  • Questions from Board members were addressed.

5. 2024 Special Event Dates

  • Steve Gilbert presented information regarding 2024 special event dates in surrounding cities, including Rockwall, Heath, Rowlett, Lavon, and Royse City.
  • Discussion among Board members and staff included:
    • Avoiding conflicts with surrounding cities
    • Potential event hours
    • Shifting events to a Saturday
    • A December 31 option
    • The last weekend of November as an option
    • A possible citizen survey

6. Celebrate Fate 2024 – New Vendors

  • Steve Gilbert provided an update regarding new vendors for Celebrate Fate 2024.
  • Topics presented included:
    • Sponsorship
    • Pros and cons
    • Local vendors
    • Food trucks
    • Fenced areas
    • Considerations for alcohol sales
  • Discussion included:
    • Allowing alcohol sales without food
    • Containing alcohol sales within a designated area
    • Use of “Drink Responsibly” signage

7. Story Walks – Robert Smith Family Park

  • Steve Gilbert presented information regarding Story Walks at Robert Smith Family Park.
  • Topics included:
    • Story walk concept
    • Illustrations in English and Spanish
    • 11x16 page format
    • Trail-based reading experience
    • Options to purchase or rent stories
    • Sponsorship opportunities for city businesses
    • City purchase of books
    • Steel frame stands with plexiglass covers
    • Estimated cost of $7,000 for required stands
    • Potential expansion to other parks
    • Two pages per stand
    • Rotation of books among parks

8. Joe Burger Park Update

  • Steve Gilbert provided an update on Joe Burger Park.
  • Topics included:
    • Flat work nearing completion
    • Bathrooms almost complete
    • Planning process for the remaining trail
  • Discussion included whether shade was included.

9. Adjournment

  • Board Member Barry Brafman moved to adjourn the meeting.
  • Board Member Virginia Harris seconded the motion.
  • Vote:
    • Ayes: King, Harris, Brafman, Dominique, Ijaebemi
    • Nays: None
  • The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Record Note
This Ledger entry records the publicly observable proceedings of the meeting listed above. It does not offer analysis or commentary.

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