HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-02 Regular Meeting
Parks and Leisure Services Board
August 2,2010
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on
Monday, August 2, 2010, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman
Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll Scott, Randy Jones, Alex Horton and alternate
Darrel Knobloch. Members absent: Jeremy Tompkins, John Raab and Johnson Obamehinti has
relocated to another city.
Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks Manager
Randy Smith, Parks Superintendent Terry Boaz, Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport and
Administrative Secretary Linda Lux.
Visitors present: Billy Owens, Saara Sayani, Garry Pearson(BESA) and Zorina, David, Dillon and
Daniel Pitts.
INVOCATION
Randy Jones gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the June 7,
2010 regular meeting. Carroll Scott made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was
seconded by Randy Jones. The vote was unanimous.
I. Board Member's Reports
Chairman Owens mentioned that Johnson Obamehinti had resigned from the Board due to moving
out of the area.
Carroll Scott said he last walked the Preserve at McCormick Park on Sunday and there were some
shrubs overhanging at the entrance to the bird watch area. Also at the playground area some pegs
which hold the ramp were sticking out and need to be repaired. He asked staff if they could check
the gazebo area at McCormick Park.
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Alex Horton said Kiddie Can Park appeared to be clean on his recent inspection. At J. A. Can
Park the gazebo was very attractive with all the flowers, all water fountains were working and the
volleyball court area was clean and in good shape. Overall both parks looked great.
Darrel Knobloch said West Park looked good. At Wilshire Park he noticed trash in the pond and
on all his visits he has noticed people fishing. In the southeast corner of the park area the dirt has
washed out from under the slab of the picnic table.
Randy Jones said he walked the Parks at Texas Star athletic complex and as usual it was in
excellent condition.
Chairman Owens read John Raabs' report since he was not in attendance tonight. John said
Trailwood Park was clean and in good shape on his visit. At Bob Eden Park he noticed some of the
new trees turning brown by the volleyball courts. Also on the path going toward the bathrooms
there was some over growth of bushes hanging into the bike path.
Chairman Owens also read Jeremy Tompkins' report since he was out of town. Jeremy said
Reflection Park was in great shape but he did notice that the sidewalk had dropped below the curb
at the southwest corner of the park. He said the Villages of Bear Creek Park was in excellent
shape. He also wanted to recognize the replacement of the lights on the exterior signage of the
amphitheater—it looks very sharp. Overall both parks were in fantastic shape.
Jeremy also mentioned there were no Special Events in July.
Chairman Owens said everything looked good at Blessing Branch Park but the signage had been
removed. At Midway Park he took a tour of the remodeled recreation center and said this is a very
exciting facility. He is also looking forward for the new fitness center to open later this month and
he mentioned the new senior center construction is really coming along.
Randy Jones said he was recently at South Euless Park and someone tried to torch the toilet paper
in the portable restroom.
Chairman Owens thanked everyone for their reports tonight.
II. Volunteer of the Month
Chairman Owens said the July 2010 Volunteer of the Month award goes to Monica Woodward,
Trinity High School Cheerleader Sponsor. Monica has planned, managed and implemented the
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participation of those within her association (Trinity Troy Ann's) to participate in several of our
special events. In addition to providing these people, she volunteered her members to cover entire
time slots in the Kid Zone area during Arbor Daze. Those events were:
• 2009 — Arbor Daze - she coordinated 30 of her cheerleaders to work the festival and they
worked over 75 hours as a group
• 2010—Arbor Daze—she organized 49 of her members to work over 116 volunteer hours
Chairman Owens said Monica was not able to be here tonight but her plaque would be delivered to
her.
Chairman Owens said the August 2010 Volunteer of the Month award goes to Saara Sayani who
has recently joined our Family of Volunteers Program and she was instrumental in planning,
managing and implementing the participation of those within her association. The events that her
organization worked included:
• 2010 — R&R Greet the Soldiers — she directed 7 of her members to volunteer a total of 14
hours as a group
• 2010—Arbor Daze—led 11 members to volunteer a total of 33 hours
Chairman Owens presented Saara with a plaque and thanked her for all of her dedication and work
with our events. Saara thanked the Board Members for the award and said she likes helping out
and enjoys working our events.
III. Beautification Award of the Month
Chairman Owens mentioned that each year from May through October we do a residential and
business/civic/governmental Yard of the Month award.
Chairman Owens said the July 2010 Residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to
Richard and Donna Kilgore at 2214 Eva Lane. This yard is beautifully landscaped with a variety of
green shrubs, a Yaupon tree on each side of the front entrance as well as other greenery along the
front of the house. They also added a colorful assortment of petunias, day lilies and knockout
roses. This yard is green and well manicured and it shows that the owners take great pride in the
work they have been done in the yard. Thank you for helping to beautify Euless. Chairman Owens
said the plaque would be delivered to them since they were not able to make our meeting tonight.
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Chairman Owens said the July 2010 Business/Civic/Governmental Beautification Award of the
Month goes to T. J. Lambrecht Construction at 2603 W. Euless Boulevard. They have planted an
assortment of greenery and it shows that the property is well maintained and a great attraction to
the surrounding businesses as well as to their customers. The property grounds are green and well
manicured and are truly an asset to the community. It is efforts like yours that make Euless a great
place to work and live. Thank you for contributing to the beautification of our city. Chairman
Owens mentioned the plaque would also be delivered to their business since they were not in
attendance tonight.
Chairman Owens said the August 2010 Residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to
David and Zorina Pitts at 803 N. Ector Drive. This yard is beautifully landscaped with a variety of
green shrubs, Crepe Myrtles, a Cedar tree at the front entrance, large Elephant Ears as well as other
greenery along the front of the house. They also added a colorful assortment of plants along one
side of the yard with a small bridge that crosses to the neighbor's yard. This yard is green and well
manicured and shows that the owners take great pride in the work that has been done in the yard.
Thank you for helping to beautify Euless. Chairman Owens presented Zorina Pitts with a plaque
and she thanked the Board Members for the award.
Chairman Owens said the August 2010 Business/Civic/Governmental Beautification Award of the
Month goes to Chili's at 2810 Highway 121. They have planted an assortment of greenery with
low lying shrubs across the front of the building as well as Crepe Myrtles on each side of the front
entrance. The property is well maintained and a great attraction to the surrounding businesses as
well as to their customers. The property grounds are green and well manicured and are truly an
asset to the community. It is efforts like yours that make Euless a great place to work and live.
Thank you for contributing to the beautification of our city. Chairman Owens said the plaque
would be delivered to their business since they were not able to attend the meeting tonight.
IV. Business of the Tree Board
Tree Board Chairman Carroll Scott reported on the following for June 1st—30th:
• there were 547.00 total man hours
o 270.00 Horticulture
o 61.00 Forestry
o 130.00 Greenhouse
o 59.00 Special Projects
o 27.00 Training
• There were 2 trees planted
• No tree related purchases
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• Trimmed trees at West Park
• Planted Live Oak at city hall sundial
• Planted Sycamore tree at West Park
• Removed a tree at Midway Park at Field No. 4
• Removed a fallen tree at the Villages of Bear Creek Park
Tree Board Chairman Carroll Scott also reported on the following for July 1St—31St:
• there were 411.00 total man hours
o 157.00 Horticulture
o 62.00 Forestry
o 113.00 Greenhouse
o 79.00 Training
• Trimmed trees at the Parks at Texas Star
• Removed damaged limbs from J. A. Carr Park and Trailwood Park
• Planted a Holly tree at the Parks at Texas Star
• Planted 17 trees with the PACS Partners group at Bob Eden Park, to include Pecans,
Sycamores, Live Oaks, Lace Bark Elms and Chitalpas
• Removed 2 Bradford Pear trees behind Building B at city hall due to storm damage
• Trimmed Red Tip Photinias hanging over the sidewalk north of Reflection Park
V. Parks and Community Services Reports
a. Recreation Report—Michael Davenport
Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport commented on the following:
• He said there is only two weeks left in summer camp
• We won four award from TFEA (Texas Festivals and Events Association)
1) Best Children's Programming—Arbor Daze KidZone
2) Best Educational Program—Arbor Daze Forestry Village
3) Best Organizational Magazine—Euless Today
4) Best Volunteer Program—Arbor Daze Volunteer Program
• Junior Anglers Day Fishing event Saturday, August 21St — 9:00 a.m. to Noon — Wilshire
Park
• Back to School Kids Fest event Saturday, August 28th — 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Campus
West
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• The new senior center will have a covered drop off area, a rear entrance to the kitchen for
deliveries, banquet room / shared space, open games, library, dominos, cards as well as
programmed classes.
• The fitness center should be ready to open about mid-month. The facility will have a main
entrance door as well as a door on each side of the room going into the recreation center and
senior center. Everyone will have door access cards to get into the building.
b. Parks Report—Randy Smith
Parks Manager Randy Smith reported on the following:
• Randy said Terry, Matthew, Robert and Michael M. have all been working on the fields at
the Parks at Texas Star. They have leveled the playing fields,removed all the old sod,
added new sod and moved some irrigation lines. Staff worked on the fields for almost two
weeks.
• Other staff members have been working on a landscape project behind Building B. They
removed two damaged Bradford Pear trees,replaced some irrigation heads, will be using
some unique new plants and will also plant new trees in the new landscape area.
• Playground chips have been added at West Park, Midway and South Euless parks. Chips
will be added to the remaining parks within the next few weeks.
• The PACS Partners has been a great program for the teen kids who have signed up to help
assist in the parks department. The kids have stepped-up some trees at the Pauline Street
greenhouse,have also assisted in planting trees and have been taught how much to water
and care for them. Next week the teens will plant seeds for winter color.
• The parks staff is currently working from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the remainder of the
summer. If you need any assistance and they are closed to please call Linda at the PACS
office.
c. Community Services Report—Ray McDonald
Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald commented on the following:
• Ray said Public Works has installed a sidewalk from the park over to the playground at
Midway Park.
• The City of Euless will host the R&R Program to Greet the Soldiers February 21St- 27th
• Julia Wakeley, the city's first recreation employee passed away over the weekend, her
funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford.
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• Ray plans to discuss with Mr. McKamie possibly restructuring new membership fees for the
Midway Family Life Center. Mr. McKamie then will discuss the proposed new fees at the
budget work session.
Chairman Owens thanked everyone for their great reports.
VI. Other New Business
Chairman Owens mentioned the September meeting will be held on Monday, September 13th due to
the Labor Day Holiday.
VII. Input from City Council Members and Visitors
Billy Owens said everything is running smoothly at the Simmons Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting
was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
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