Council postpones park-field rental policy; restores parks board agenda language
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Summary
Council continued consideration of a softball/baseball field rental fee to allow staff more time for analysis and directed that parks board agendas include the five city parks and original language about discussing improvements.
The Haslet City Council continued action on establishing a softball and baseball field rental fee and voted to restore original parks-board agenda language so the board can consider improvements to all city parks.
Why it matters: Several organizations have requested to rent Nance Field for the upcoming season, and the Parks Board said earlier that its agenda language and ability to discuss park improvements had been narrowed. Council members said the city needs an interim fee policy and clearer fee schedule language but asked staff to return with comparative data and schedules.
Discussion summary: Stephanie Clement (713 Santa Rosa Drive) spoke in favor of creating an official rental schedule, saying her organization represents more than 40 families seeking a local practice location. Councilmembers debated how best to set a fee: options discussed included a per‑player seasonal fee or hourly rental for the field. Councilmembers asked staff to gather fee schedules from neighboring jurisdictions (Fort Worth, Mansfield, Justin, Saginaw, Trophy Club) and to produce recommended terms and conditions that preserve existing youth association schedules.
Council action on fees: Councilmember Watkins moved to continue the item to a future meeting within two months (to give staff time to prepare materials); the motion passed unanimously. The continuance means no interim fee was adopted at this meeting, and staff were not given an interim fee to implement.
Parks Board agenda language: Councilmember Morrow moved to restore the parks-board agenda wording to include "discussion and consideration regarding improvements" and to explicitly list all five municipal parks (Community Park, Gamble Park, Nance Field, Fire Station ball field, and Veterans Memorial Garden). The motion passed unanimously; staff said they would correct the parks-board agenda language going forward.
Ending: Council asked staff to return within two months with a workshop or agenda item that includes proposed fees, comparisons to peer cities, a recommended term (seasonal or hourly) and assurance that any rental terms would not interfere with existing youth association schedules.
