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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-02 Regular Meeting Parks and Leisure Services Board February 2,2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2009, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll Scott, John Elder, Jeremy Tompkins, Randy Jones, John Raab and alternates Alex Horton and Johnson Obamehinti. Members absent: none. Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks Superintendent Terry Boaz, Parks Manager Randy Smith, Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport, Volunteer Coordinator Jerry Poteet and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present: David Brown, Gary Bronaugh, Becky Bradford, Karen & James Vandiver and Chris Currie (with the L.D. Bell Rodeo Team)and Doyle Brown(with the Trinity Rodeo Team). INVOCATION Randy Jones gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the January 5, 2009 regular meeting. Randy Jones made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by John Raab. The vote was unanimous. I. Board Member's Reports Carroll Scott said the Preserve at McCormick Park was in very good shape and the park was clean. One of the tree benches might need to be replaced due to weathering and insects. He said McCormick Park also looked good as well as the gabion wall and gazebo. John Elder said Reflection Park was in pristine condition. He noticed there is very heavy usage at the Villages of Bear Creek Park and the patrons are of a much younger crowd. The dog park also gets lots of users and the dog park was well worth the money for our citizens. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 February 2,2009 John Raab mentioned both West Park and Wilshire Park were clean and in good shape. Randy Jones said Kiddie Carr Park was fine. At J. A. Carr Park he found a fallen limb towards the rear of the park and also noticed a large tree on the street side which has an exposed electrical box. Jeremy Tompkins said the Parks at Texas Star athletic complex was very nice and in great shape but noticed a banner which needed to be reset on the pole and some water standing on the sidewalk by the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Jeremy Tompkins commented on the following recent Special Events held in January: • Christmas Tree Recycling — was held on Saturday, January 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Midway Park and this was a great event with lots of participants and lots of mulch of residents. • Midway Recreation Center Open House — was also held on Saturday, January 10th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon and there was a great turnout. He also commented on the upcoming February events: • He reminded everyone that the R & R Program to greet the troops started today (February 2°d) and will run through Sunday (February 8th) at DFW Airport. He further commented on how gratifying this program is for anyone who has the time to volunteer and participate. • Princess Party — Friday, February 13th - 6:00 p.m. — 8:P30 p.m. — Midway Recreation Center • Community Garage Sale — Saturday, February 28th — 8:00 a.m. — Noon — Midway Recreation Center Alex Horton said both Bob Eden and Trailwood parks were in overall great condition. Johnson Obamehinti said both Midway and Blessing Branch parks looked clean and in good shape. He said he attended the recycling event and it was a great success with lots of mulch for residents. Chairman Owens said both South Euless and Heritage parks were in great condition and mentioned the new signage has really enhanced the parks. He said Heritage Park is a great addition to our park system and he hopes everyone will go and see what this park has to offer in the way of Euless history. Chairman Owens thanked the Board Members for the great reports tonight. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 February 2,2009 II. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens said the February 2009 Volunteer of the Month goes to the Trinity and L. D. Bell Rodeo Teams. He said this group has participated in the Christmas Parade of Lights for quite a few years now. This year they had more participants than they have ever before which included 16 horses with riders, a float consisting of a truck and a trailer not to mention over twenty people that volunteers to ride in the parade. In addition, each member invested over thirty hours of personal time in preparation for the Christmas Parade, even though this is the busiest time of the year. Chairman Owens presented the Trinity and Bell Rodeo Teams with a plaque for their commitment to our events. Gary Bronaugh thanked the Board Members for the award and said this program helps keep the kids busy and gives them something to do. III. Business of the Tree Board Tree Board Chairman Carroll Scott reported on the following for January 1 —31, 2009: • there were 712.00 man hours o 112.00—Horticulture o 256.00—Forestry o 0 —Storm Damage o 320.00 - Greenhouse o 16.00 - Special Projects o 0 - Water Truck o 8.00 - Training • Horticulture hours were spent fertilizing and cutting back Lantana in all city beds. • Forestry hours were spent pruning around a street light at Midway and Milam for engineering. Removing the shrubs at the entrance to McCormick Park and restocking the tree farm with miscellaneous trees and shrubs. A Saw tooth oak was planted in the dog park (small side); a Red oak was planted in the large dog park area, 2 Cedars planted at Softball World and 1 Red oak at Midway Park. • Greenhouse hours were spent stepping-up many of the 12,000 flowers currently growing in the greenhouse for the upcoming color change throughout the city. • Special project hours were spent taking down the city Christmas tree and putting on the annual Christmas Tree Recycling event. • Training hours were spent on Randy Leach taking his irrigation certification test. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 February 2,2009 IV. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Texas Trash Off—Jerry Poteet Volunteer Coordinator Jerry Poteet mentioned the city has participated in the annual trash off for many years. This event is done in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation since Highway 10 is a state road which is required to be included in the annual event. Last year we had 475 people volunteering to pick up trash, help clean roadways and clean selected parks. Jerry said Incredible Pizza has hosted this event for the last two years by furnishing pizza and drinks to all the volunteers. Also all volunteers are given a t-shirt for volunteering for the event. He said all of the events that are sponsored by the city are family oriented. b. Recreation Report—Michael Davenport Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport thanked Jerry for a great report tonight. He commented on the following: • Free yoga classes are being offered every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. — 10:00 a.m. to seniors. • 369 - lunches were served to seniors last month. • Seniors took 1 trip—Fort Worth Stock Show. • Out-of-School Kids Fest—June 3 —we are partnering with United Way and Tarrant County Health Department to teach nutrition and healthy activities for kids. • R& R Program started today and will continue through Sunday, February 8h. • Princess Party is February 13th at Midway Recreation Center. c. Parks Report—Troy Cain Parks Manager Randy Smith said Troy was out sick tonight and he would give the report. • A couple of trees were planted at the dog park as well as 65 trees being planted at the tree farm. • The crew also planted seeds for the spring growing season. • They have lots of plants that are now growing and should not have to buy any for a while. Troy and his crew are very excited about the plants and saving the city money by growing our own plants in the greenhouse. • All plants will be planted by city staff and not contracted out. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 February 2,2009 Chairman Owens thanked Troy and his staff for the great job they are doing. d. Community Services Report—Ray McDonald Ray commented on the following: • Family Life Center—He updated the Board Members on the status of the project. He stated that the senior center component of the project is moving forward and that the city will work through the guidelines of the Community Development Block Grant program for this particular phase of the project. • He also informed the Board that we will continue planning efforts for the entire project and that staff intends to submit an indoor grant application for the senior center, renovation to the recreation center, and indoor aquatic facility to TPWD in July. • The outdoor grant application for the outdoor components of the project was delivered by Elaine Dill to TPWD on Friday. We should know in July whether or not we will receive funding for this particular grant in July. • Registration has started for the Parks at Texas Star baseball leagues. As of now we have 50 teams registered in "AA" and "AAA". So far registration is going very well but "A" (recreation leagues) is still a little low. V. Other New Business There was no new business for discussion. VI. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Chairman Owens said there were no Council Members in the audience tonight. He asked if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to make any comments. One of the rodeo members said to come on out and go to the rodeo -they have 28 scheduled events this year. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 February 2,2009 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. / Chairman A' e