Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-04 Regular Meeting Parks and Leisure Services Board August 4,2008 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 4, 2008, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll Scott, Everett Hartzler, Randy Jones, John Elder, John Raab and alternate Alex Horton. Members absent: Jeremy Tompkins. Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks Superintendent Terry Boaz, Parks Manager Randy Smith, Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport, Athletic Supervisor John Douthit, Construction Foreman Dan Dearborn and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present: Council Member Leon Hogg, Billy Owens, David Brown, Gerald Brookman, Joy Baldwin (Goodgame), Tom Goodgame, Ted Manuel, Mary Shepherd, Debi Chesney, Sally Austin and Amy Mattson. INVOCATION John Elder gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the June 2, 2008 regular meeting. Carroll Scott 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 he last walked Blessing Branch Park and it was mowed and very clean. There was still graffiti under the North Main Street bridge. Midway Park was clean, mowed and lots of activity in the recreation center. John Elder said Trailwood Park was very nice with lots of shade for visitors. Bob Eden Park was also clean. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 August 4,2008 John Raab said there was graffiti under the bridge at McCormick Park. The park was clean except for some damage to the gazebo and a fallen tree. The Preserve at McCormick Park was clean and in great shape but asked if the growth along the path by the pond could be trimmed back. Randy Jones said Heritage Park was clean and looked good. South Euless Park was also clean and there were lots of people at the pool. Everett Hartzler said there was some graffiti on the Adopt-A-Park sign and the net was missing from the sand volleyball area but everything else looked good. Alex Horton said Reflection Park appeared clean. He said everything looked good at the Villages of Bear Creek Park, he noticed some trees were dying in the vicinity of the dog park and a new small portable water container was placed near the water fountain in the dog park. He extended a special thanks to Randy and the parks crew for removing two fallen tree limbs on the same day that he notified them. Jeremy Tompkins was not able to make the meeting but sent his report in to be read. Chairman Owens read Jeremy's report. West Park was green and the playground is getting lots of usage and the fields are in great shape. He did notice a cable or wire sticking out of the ground along the first base dugout on Field #2. He mentioned that Wilshire Park looks great and 5 ducks are still in the park. He noticed there still continues to be a large amount of dirt which has moved to the north side of the park along the edge of the new housing addition. Chairman Owens said the Parks at Texas Star Athletic Complex looks great as always. He said the Concert in Motion was held in June with about 180-200 attendees and we received some good PR from Channel 5 on the event. The Terri Hendrix concert was held in July at the Texas Star Golf Course Pavilion and there were 200 people at this outdoor event. H. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens said the July 2008 Volunteer of the Month is Joy Baldwin. She has given of herself, her time and her efforts to several different organizations across the city including A.A. R.P. For this year's Arbor Daze Festival, she took charge of the scheduling and assigning of volunteers in several different areas, calling and recalling of volunteers to these areas and volunteers slots and the follow-up that is always necessary. This duty was a major undertaking and is one that was very time consuming. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 August 4,2008 Chairman Owens presented Joy Baldwin with the award. She thanked the Board Members and staff for the award, loves this city and that she has been volunteering for almost 44 years. Chairman Owens said the August 2008 Volunteer of the Month is Sally Austin. She is fairly new to volunteering and has already worked the R&R Program, Movies in the Park and Concert in the Park. She has even signed up for upcoming events. Chairman Owens presented her with an award. She stated she has only been volunteering for about the last eighteen months but she wants to get more involved in the city and our events. III. Beautification Award of the Month Chairman Owens said the July 2008 residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Earls at 505 Westcliff Drive. He said this beautiful shady yard is landscaped with lots of caladiums and an assortment of small delicate plants which have been intermingled among the caladiums. The lawn is lush, green and well manicured. One look and you know the owners take pride in their work. Thank you for helping to beautify our city. Chairman Owens said the award would be delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Earls since they were not here tonight. Chairman Owens said the July 2008 business/civic/governmental Beautification Award of the Month goes to Nationwide Insurance Company at 910 N. Main Street. He said this business is landscaped with lots of small shrubs planted along the front of the building and also has a well manicured lawn. It is efforts like yours that make our city a great place to work and live. Thank you for contributing to the beautification of our city. Mrs. Shepherd thanked the Board Members and the city for the award and said her husband is the one who does the yard work at her office. Chairman Owens said the August 2008 residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to Mr. and Mrs. James Fultz at 1905 Marlene. He said this yard is beautifully landscaped and used a great selection of shrubs and bedding plants. The lawn is lush, green and well manicured. It really catches your attention as you drive by. One look and you know the owners take pride in their work. Chairman Owens said the award would be delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Fultz since they were not present tonight. Chairman Owens said the August 2008 business/civic/governmental Beautification Award of the Month goes to Euless B & B Wrecker Service at 1201 W. Euless Boulevard. He said this is a great landscape with lots of color and a well maintained lawn. It is efforts like yours that make our city a great place to work and live. Thank you for contributing to the beautification of our city. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 August 4,2008 Debi Chesney owner of B & B Wrecker Service said the business has been open since her father started it in 1959 and she and Andy now own the business. She thanked the Board Members for the award. IV. Business of the Tree Board Tree Board Chairman Carroll Scott reported on the following for May 22nd—June 22nd: • there were 1,129.00 man hours o 725.0—Horticulture o 270.0—Forestry o 0—Storm Damage o 118.0- Greenhouse o 0 - Special Project • there were no trees planted and no tree related purchases • horticulture hours were spent doing a color change throughout the entire city and also weeding beds • forestry hours were spent picking up high wind debris, removing dead trees throughout the city, pruning medians and clearing sidewalks • greenhouse hours were spent watering plants, propagating and staging flowers for color change • we also completed another fantastic session with the special needs kids, where we took them to Heritage Park and let them plant the vegetable garden, which by the way is doing exceptionally well Tree Board Chairman Carroll Scott reported on the following for June 22nd—July 22nd: • there were 1,278.50 man hours o 677.5 —Horticulture o 444.0—Forestry o 0—Storm Damage o 101.0 - Greenhouse o 0 - Special Project o 56.0 - Water Truck (14,355 gallons used) • there were no trees planted and no tree related purchases • horticulture hours were spent doing color changes and weeding and mulching beds throughout the city • forestry hours were spent pruning trees over sidewalks, the trail at the Villages of Bear Creek Park and also pruning at J.A. Carr Park Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 August 4,2008 • greenhouse hours were spent watering plants, propagating and staging flowers for color change • we have started running our water truck over all of the non-irrigated areas throughout the city • we have also begun a water reclamation project on the new greenhouse V. Adopt-A-Park Program -Applications Chairman Owens said we received two applications for the program. a. South Euless Park The Becker Family sent their application in to adopt South Euless Park. Donna Becker was not able to make the meeting tonight. Ray McDonald said he appreciates their application and this is one of the parks that have yet to be adopted. Chairman Owens and the Board Members unanimously approved the Becker Family application to adopt South Euless Park. b. Villages of Bear Creek Park—Dog Park Gerald Brookman turned in an application to adopt the Dog Park at the Villages of Bear Creek Park. He said he and six other residents have formed the Euless Dog Park Association and has set- up a web-site with park rules, hours and frequently asked questions concerning dog parks. He said the dog park is heavily used in the evening hours and the parks department is doing an excellent job with handling any issues that have occurred. Mr. Brookman also mentioned that the association will help raise money to help offset any costs that are incurred at the dog park. Board Member Alex Horton stated that he has visited the web-site and is concerned that the City may be perceived as requesting donations, and asked that Mr. Brookman make it clear on his web- site that what he is doing has not been endorsed by the City. He also asked that until the Euless Dog Park Association receives its 501C-3 (non-profit) status, that the Adopt-A-Park Application reflect his name as the person/organization applying to adopt the dog park. Mr. Brookman said this was structured the same as the dog park in Fort Worth and he has applied for the 501C-3, which is a charitable tax deduction program. He said he would be willing to remove the association and use his name for the organization name. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 August 4,2008 Chairman Owens and the Board Members unanimously approved the application with the stipulation that the Euless Dog Park Association name be removed and replaced with Gerald R. Brookman to adopt the Dog Park at the Villages of Bear Creek Park. VI. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Parks Report—Randy Smith Parks Manager Randy Smith briefed the Board Members on the following: • said the crews have been working in the very hot weather and they are taking all precautions during the heat • Dan and Larry have been handling lots of irrigation issues throughout our parks system • Work continues on the product at the Villages trail • John and his crew has done a great job maintaining the athletic fields • Troy and his crew have spent the last ten days maintaining the city landscapes • Terry has been a great asset with working with all the crews and also managing the department's contracts • Troy, Dan and the entire department helped with the new reclamation project at the greenhouse. They have ordered a new 3,000 gallon water tank to replace the existing 125 gallon container they are currently using. b. Recreation Report—Michael Davenport Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport updated the Board Members on the following: • Parks and Community Services won six (6) awards from the Texas Festivals and Events Association(TFEA) conference in July o Best Environmental Program—Arbor Daze Tree Giveaway o Best Educational Award—Forestry Village o Best Original Newsletter—Euless Today o Best Sponsor—Chad's Chopp'N Shop o Best Commemorative Clothing—20th Arbor Daze Anniversary T-shirt o Best Children's Programming—KidZone • Summer Camp—lots of kids are enjoying the camp which will end in two weeks • Seniors— 1,200 seniors visit Simmons during July • Senior Lunch Program—337 for the program during July • Midway Recreation Center— 11,256 visitors in July • Memberships Sold-489 Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 7 August 4,2008 c. Athletics Report—John Douthit Athletic Supervisor John Douthit updated the Board Members on the following: • This past spring was very busy—we had 1,485 registered and had 21 tournaments • Midway Park practice field—scheduled over 200 practices • Panama Team — Parks at Texas Star hosted 35 young men from Panama to play against local teams. Each team housed the Panama players each night. The Panama team was also taken to see the Grand Prairie Air Hogg's play. • Work is being done at the Parks at Texas Star athletic complex during our down time: painting the restrooms, replacing signage, checking on all field lighting throughout the complex • Track Team—had 152 registered and a Euless resident received the TAAF scholarship • Athletic leagues are now listed on the city web-site • In Spring 2009—players will be able to register online as well as teams • Girls Softball — we did not have enough players to form a league therefore the players formed with the Mid-Cities Softball League with Hurst. We plan to meet with Hurst and work with them again this year in order form a league for the area and play in the H-E-B area d. Community Services Report—Ray McDonald Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald commented on the following: • Weather issues at the athletic complexes are monitored through the police department • Staff briefed the Board Members on our great programs that we have • Ray said he attended the Council Budget Work Session to present the Midway Park Family Life Center. It would include expansion of the Midway Recreation Center, a new Senior Center and a new aquatic center. We need to start working on the project to obtain an architect. The staff put together conceptual drawings for the new center and we will later work with the Board Members for their input. We plan to apply for one outdoor grant as well as one indoor grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Ray thanked Council Member Leon Hogg, all the Council Members as well as Gary and Loretta for their support with this new center. • Dan and his crew will be working on a new volleyball court at J. A. Carr Park • A new trail connection with be constructed under Mid-Cities Boulevard to provide a link from Bob Eden Park to the development to the north • The batting cages at the Parks at Texas Star athletic complex will be replaced Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 8 August 4,2008 • Ray will bring some conceptual drawings of the proposed Midway Park Family Life Center to the September meeting • He reminded the Board Members of the Junior Anglers Fishing event on Saturday, August 16th at Wilshire Park. The pond will be filled with 500 pounds of catfish prior to the event. Chairman Owens congratulated the staff on the excellent reports tonight. VII. Other New Business Chairman Owens reminded the Board Members that the next meeting will be September 8th due to the Labor Day holiday. VIII. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Billy Owens mentioned A.A.R.P. will be helping with their annual drive to collect school supplies for the students. Council Member Leon Hogg said the Budget Work Session was a success and the employees will be receiving a raise and there will be money in the budget for new projects. Council will be approving the budget at their upcoming meetings. Joy Baldwin congratulated the staff for doing such a great job with the events. Amy Mattson thanked the Board Members and said she and other residents really appreciate the dog park. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. / Chairman Attest