Deer Park Community Development Corporation - Regular Meeting

Yes.

OK, we're ready? OK, I'd like to call to order the Deer Park Community Development Committee meeting. Do we have anyone assigned up to speak? No, ma'am. OK, we're going to move to our first item of business, which is recognition of service of Eric Ripley on the Deer Park Community Development Committee. Hey, Eric. We have a celebrity in the house. Mr. Ripley was appointed to the Deer Park Community Development Committee in 2021 by the city council ordinance number 4077. Mr. Ripley's term ended in May 2026 when he was elected to serve as a city council member. It has been an honor to have him serve the citizens of Deer Park on this board and we wish him the best in the future. An appreciation plaque is being presented to Mr. Ripley at this meeting. Okay, Eric, we want to get a picture? Okay, let's get up.

He wore his best shorts. I like that shirt. That's a nice shirt. That is a nice shirt.

We're going to go around up here. You want all of us in here?

You want us all?

Oh, no.

All right, he put my hair up to go work now. Y'all's got shorts on, too.

I'm not alone. I'm glad to see you dressed up. Thank you.

We're going to try it again.

All right. We're good now. Okay.

Okay, we're going to move on to our second item, and that is the introduction of Ron Martin as our new member for the Deer Park Community Development Board of Directors.

Where is Ron Martin?

Ron Martin is ill today on his first day on the job.

Sorry.

Try that again.

OK, so Ron's ill today. He is not joining us. OK, so at the May 19, 2026, city council meeting, the city council passed an ordinance for appointing Ron to position two to complete the unexpired term of our outgoing member of Eric Ripley, who left due to his election to city council. So we welcome Ron.

OK. And he had no opponent. He didn't even have to work.

Who, Ron?

No.

Oh, Eric?

He just showed up. Got elected.

There's more to it. He has been a great asset to the community.

Oh, yes, very much so.

Okay, our third item is approval of the minutes of the meeting, of our meeting we had on April 27, 2026. Can I get a motion?

I make a motion that we accept those minutes.

Okay, so we have a motion and a second. Okay, all in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Okay, the motion has passed. Our fourth item is consideration of and action of the quarterly report for the period of April 1st to June 30th of 2026.

Good evening, board. Same format you're used to seeing. So on the first page, it's going to show just a summary of everything CDC-related and staff has done in the last quarter. And then beyond that, it shows an update of financials. There has been no new issue of debt for CDC. And then there's just a quick summary on expenditures and revenues. If anyone has any specific questions, Ms. Ganey is here. to answer those. But otherwise, that's all for this item.

OK. Does anyone have any questions?

I do not.

OK. Can I get a motion?

I'll make a motion we accept that report.

I'll second.

OK. We have a motion and a second from Dr. Reagan. OK. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Okay, the motion has passed. Item five is discussion of issues relating to the status of our Deer Park CDC projects for the period of April 1st through June 30th of 2026. Hello.

Hello, how y'all doing?

Good.

Good. So, I'm sorry, can you do the other one, the other attachment first, Sarah, do you mind?

The first one, yes.

So there's just one more project from last time, from the 2015. It was just the Aspenser View project. Everything else was closed out, and all we did was we completed our TDLR inspection, and then after that we were able to close out the project. So now everything from the 2015 is done. So that will be closed out.

From 2015. That is a long time.

What's that?

The bond from?

No, the 2015 bond, all the projects. There were several projects from that one.

The bridge.

Yeah, so from the 2021, you see all the completed projects there. So just a few ones we're working on. There's the Dow Park pipeline and P Street rehabilitation project. So if you've been through Dow Park, you may have noticed all the construction that's going on there right now. They're basically repairing a drainage pipe that runs north through south throughout the park that goes underneath the P Street parking lot out towards P Street. We're just we have to tear apart anywhere. We're redoing the entire parking lot into concrete and then they're apparent that repairing that drainage pipe as well Closed down a lot, you know part of the trail But everything's going well, they just started to work on July 6th, and they're expected to be completed by the end of September on the pickleball courts So the pickleball courts themselves have been complete. What we're waiting on is the electrical. Centerport has installed the pole. Basically, we've contracted with RA Weaver to do the electrical to run it to the courts. That actually is starting tomorrow. It should take about two weeks for that to be done. And then as part of that, if you turn from 8th Street, make the left into the park, Right there on the right, that's where we're going to put the restrooms. So we've worked with Corworth. We've already got that. That's been approved by council. They're prefabricated. So once the approval went through, we do the contract. Then it takes them about six or eight weeks to fabricate and build them. During that time, our own staff, we actually had a meeting this morning with engineering to discuss all the utilities, the electrical, the sanitary, and the water. And we designed a pad to put there, and they come and they just put the restroom right in the pad. They connect to our utilities, and then hopefully in a couple months from now that will be done and ready to open, and we'll have a restroom there as well. So that's the update there. The adult softball complex, that's still in design. That's gone back and forth. It's taken a little while. What we're doing is we're taking the parking lot. And we're extending it all the way around the field on the north side towards the water tower. And we're redoing the entire restrooms. We're tearing them down and building up whole new ones. We're having an outdoor plaza with some shade seating. And we're still in design. So that project, originally funded this year, we've moved most of that money to next fiscal year when most of that work will actually happen. Adult softball complex. Yes, adult softball complex on Pasadena. Yes, sir. Going on Pasadena Boulevard.

Is there an issue with parking out there?

There is, yeah. So basically there's three softball fields, and then there's a multi-service like soccer football field in the back. And what happens is when we have adult leagues, all three fields are in use, parking's full, and we're not able to rent that field because there's nowhere for people to park. So this will allow us to actually use that field. And we're actually considering renovating that into a fourth softball field because we have high demand for that, much more demand for that than we do for. But right now, we can only really use that field if we don't have a full night of softball. So we're kind of limiting some of our recreational use with the parking that's pretty limited. So that will happen next fiscal year.

Great.

Is that the last one? All right, any other questions?

I have a question about the roast streams at the Pickle Pop Court. Will there be a sign posted for hours? Will somebody come by and unlock those and lock them up every night, or how's that going to work?

Yeah, so we're working through that right now. The plan is not to have them 24-7, so it's either to lock them, we'll unlock them, or if we can have timers like on some of our Dow Park restrooms, that would be great. If we can't do that, then we would lock them and unlock them. We don't want them open 24-7.

Yes, exactly. Okay. Thank you.

And they won't be air-conditioned, so people don't live in there, actually. Get them out of there.

Yeah, you laugh. We've had that.

Yeah, absolutely.

Living in the press box.

So that's very smart. Yes.

That's why I was asking. Okay. Okay. Any other questions? Does anybody have questions? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Where are we at? Number six.

Number six.

Okay, number six. Consideration of an action on the authorization to use the remaining Series 2021 and Series 2022 certificates of obligation, proceeds, and interest earnings for the design, construction, improvement, and equipment associated with the renovations to the theater building.

Yes, good evening. Sarah and I may both talk on this subject. So I know some of you may have been on the board, some may be on council at the time, but in 2021 and then again in 2022, we issued certificates of obligation to build the DAC. That is funded through CDC. And then shortly after we issued that debt, we entered into a high interest rate environment where interest rates soared, and those proceeds ended up earning a lot of interest in the millions, quite a bit. So now we're left with a substantial amount of interest earnings that need to be spent on a – applicable use of proceeds. And so we can use those interest earnings on anything, like I said, that goes into that use of proceeds, which is the design, construction, improvement, and equipment of parks and recreational facilities, including a community center, a recreation center, or youth sports complexes, things of that manner. So we spoke with our bond counsel. Because we are renovating the theater very soon. We're building a new municipal court, and they are soon to move out. And so we'll need to use that space for the theater. And so we spoke with our bond counsel and asked, would this be something we could use those proceeds for, or those interest earnings for? And they did agree that we could do that if we got the CDC's board approval and if we considered that a park facility. It is under the umbrella of Parks and Recreation, so we do feel like that is justified. But we're just here tonight to ask your approval to use the interest earnings for that project.

So the new courthouse, there's a new courthouse being built? Yes. Okay. Where's that at?

Lawson Hill House.

Oh, okay. Okay. And so the courthouse slash theater building is just going to be theater? Yes. And you're wanting these proceeds for renovating it to that? Yes, to fund the renovations.

Perfect.

Yeah, it's going to be cool.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. We have so many kids that go to theater there. We have people get the renovation.

The plays that we put on are just amazing. What has been put on is amazing. It's great acting, great involvement.

Does anybody have any questions? We need to vote on this, right? Can I get a motion for this?

I'll make a motion to do it.

I'll second that.

OK. All in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? OK. The motion is passed. Thank you. OK. Item seven is consideration of an action on approving the fiscal year 26 to 27 Deer Park CDC budget and submission to city council.

OK. So this is the same budget that was presented, that had been presented to the board. changes specifically um in comparing the last budget you saw and the one that's in front of you this evening um so the first change number one under revenue and change number one under parks and recreation those are the same item um so just real quickly the dap next door is just not operating at the level that it was originally assumed it was always going to need some self-sustaining. And so when the budget was initially presented here to the more updated information that we have now, we just have a better idea of how much money is needed from CDC to help support the DAC. And so because we're that if transfer from CDC, that's item number one under Parks and Recreation, we're also having to increase the priority or revenue that's being used, which is just a mechanism for fund balance. That just means we're dipping into fund balance to utilize some of that. So those two changes offset each other, but that's what those are. And then the second change under Parks and Recreation, that's just related to one specific project project changes, or revenue change expectations, or anything like that, other than what was previously presented?

That sounds great.

Does anybody have any questions? When you said that it is not- Any questions about the budget?

Yes.

When you said that DAC's not bringing in as much as anticipated in revenues, does that have to do with delay in opening? Will it be ongoing, I guess, if you're-

Partly. So at first, you know, we did expect to open a month earlier last year to get some more revenue, but that would have been in the prior year revenue, I mean, operating budget as well. Okay. But that said, you know, we have to prepare these budgets so far in advance that we're really making estimates, pretty significant estimates on what expenditures are going to be and what our revenue is going to be. And as we got more into the summer season and we had just some more confidence in what we were actually spending, we were better able to forecast. That's really all it was. It's not that they haven't met some metric that we had initially gauged and they're falling short. It's not that. It's just that we have more confidence in what we're able to estimate.

Okay.

A comment from the audience.

Please state your name and address.

Just one comment to further answer the question. Just a little bit of real quick history. When we passed this in 2015, It was only to do projects. And when the projects ended, it was over. It was never to do maintenance and operation costs. When it was reauthorized in 2021, the idea was to allow for it to be perpetual and have operation and maintenance costs. So therefore, the plan then, and it will remain that way for a long time, was always to have the CDC We want the DAC to do as well as it can, but it was not intended to pay for itself, and we'll always have the CDC to help pay for it.

Okay, no, that's good to know.

Just wanted you all to understand that. Thank you.

Okay. Okay, thank you for clarifying that. Yes, ma'am. And we will need action on the budget this evening. Okay, so can I get a motion?

I have one more question.

Oh, sure. Hey, Kenny? Hold on, baby.

Kenny. Mention baseball field number five. What kind of work is being done on that field this year? What field is that mentioned?

That's the smaller field directly behind the new J-back. I put up a map for you if you want to see it.

That's not a softball field. That's a small baseball field?

Yes, sir. Do you want me to put it up on the map for you?

I'm sorry?

Do you want me to pull it up on the map for you?

Oh, no, no, that's fine. I'm familiar with those.

Yeah, directly behind JBAC, you have the four mentioned, and I think to the west of that, there's a much smaller field. It's underutilized. Pony doesn't use it a whole lot because of the size. It's much smaller. So we have plans to renovate that field into more recreational space.

It's not going to be a field anymore. It's going to be a recreational space? Yes, sir.

Okay.

What kind of recreational?

Yeah, we're still evaluating that, you know, whether there's how much green space versus playground equipment. You know, we still have some options that we're actually kind of exploring right now.

How many Little League fields are still there? There's four at Mention. I'm sorry.

Yeah, there's still four ball fields at Mention, you know, plus the fields they have at Spencer View as well.

I don't know who actually puts those plans together. But I know that we were at some baseball tournaments recently. And I did see one field where they had, oh my goodness, my mind went blank, where the kids, it's not a baseball field. What is it called? They just have the soft little ball that they hit. There's a name for it, and I can't think of it. But I'll have to look it up. But I don't know who that would go to. But it's another suggestion because while kids are playing baseball games, there's also other kids' wiffle ball. That's what it is, a wiffle ball. Field, court, I don't know what. Yes.

No, that's a good point. That's good to know. I mean, there were a lot of kids on that field. All information is valuable. So there could be an option to just use the infield part for still something like a wiffle ball in the outdoor grass for any type of playground or recreational. Yeah, we're still evaluating that. But that's funding for next fiscal year.

Okay. Where's the skate park?

I'm sorry?

Where's the skate park that's going to go in?

So the skate park has been pushed to the following year. We're still evaluating some locations. We have about three or four different park locations. We're not sure yet. So I think I forgot to mention that. But at the last CDC meeting, I did a PowerPoint to show all the projects we had anticipated for next fiscal year. That was just proposed at the time. Still is, technically. The only change to that was the skate park is being bumped to the following year. Everything else on there is still the same. We're still proposing everything else that was in the PowerPoint I delivered.

We still have skateboarders, I would assume.

And we also have EV bicycles. Yes, sir. Maybe we should think about putting a motocross field in some place.

You know, that's, like I said, you know, we'll evaluate everything.

Yeah, the world's changing.

Yes, sir, it is. You know, we're always, you know, trying to evaluate what the trends are in park and recreation and seeing how we can, you know, stay up to date with those trends.

Yes, sir. You're welcome.

OK, so back to item number eight. We're going to need a motion to approve the.

Seven.

I'm sorry. Seven. We need a motion to approve the fiscal year budget for 26 to 27.

I will motion to approve the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and submit to city council.

I'll second.

OK, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? OK, that motion is passed. Okay, now to item eight, consideration of an action on the changing the time of the Deer Park CDC meeting moving forward from 5.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Is everyone okay with that time change?

Better for me.

That fits my very busy schedule.

Are you okay with it? Okay. Those not here can't vote. That's right. Sorry, Ron.

You should have been sick.

Okay. All in favor?

Aye. Oh, wait. Sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry. Need a motion.

Make a motion.

I'm just so excited. Second. Second. I'm sorry. We had a motion and we had a second. Okay. All in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Okay, that motion is passed. Item number nine is announcement of our next meeting of the Deer Park CDC scheduled for October 26, 2026. Okay. 5 p.m. Oh, p.m. 5 p.m. Yes. Okay. Is that it? Any questions? Okay, this meeting is adjourned.