HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-06 Regular Meeting
Parks and Leisure Services Board
August 6,2007
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:07 p.m. on
Monday, August 6, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman
Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll Scott, Boyce Byers, Randy Jones, and
alternates Sonja Adams and Everett Hartzler. Members absent: Stacey Hollinger, John Raab and
alternate John Elder.
Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks
Superintendent Terry Boaz, Parks Manager Johnnie Green and Administrative Secretary Linda
Lux.
Visitors present: Billy Owens, Bill Byers, Alex Horton, Council Member Leon Hogg, James and
Pat Fultz, Robert, Teresia and Russell Foreman, Colton Sisson, Kenzie, Lisa and Konoau Kautai,
Pat and Amy McClure, David Brown, Val Zuniga and Nick and Martina Rodriquez.
INVOCATION
Randy Jones gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the May 7,
2007 regular meeting. Randy Jones made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was
seconded by Carroll Scott. The vote was unanimous.
I. Board Member's Reports
Boyce Byers mentioned some of the Special Events held during the summer:
• The Out of School Bash was held on May 24th at Midway Recreation Center with lots of
kids in attendance.
• The U.T. Arlington Jazz Concert was held on June 15th at the Villages of Bear Creek Park
and there were lots of families in attendance.
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• Movies in the Park showing "Happy Feet" was held on July 20th at the Villages of Bear
Creek Park Amphitheater. The Fort Worth Zoo also brought out some penguins for the kids
to see before the movie started.
Upcoming Events:
• Saturday, August 18th—Junior Anglers Day—9:00 a.m. to Noon—Wilshire Park pond
• August 20th—26th—R&R Flights at DFW Airport
• Saturday, September 15th — Bicycle Rodeo & Safety Fair - 9:00 a.m. to Noon — Parks at
Texas Star
• Friday, October 19th—Stars Over Euless - 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. —Bob Eden Park
• Wednesday, October 31st — The Halloween Thing — 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Midway
Recreation Center
Carroll Scott said he recently walked both Preserve at McCormick and McCormick parks and they
were in good shape. He noticed that duck weed is growing in the ponds at the Preserve at
McCormick Park. He mentioned the construction is coming along at McCormick Park. Ray said
that we have hired a contractor and they sprayed the duck weed last week.
Sonja Adams said she did not have a report for Bob Eden and Trailwood parks.
Randy Jones said West Park looks good but one of the speed bumps is broken and
Wilshire Park is also in good condition.
Everett Hartzler said Reflection Park looks great. The playground and soccer fields are staying
busy at the Villages of Bear Creek Park.
John Raab e-mailed his report and said both J.A. Carr and Kiddy Carr parks were clean and in good
shape.
Chairman Owens said Midway Park looks good. He had no report for Blessing Branch Park.
II. Volunteer of the Month
Chairman Owens said the June 2007 Volunteer of the Month Courtney Martin was not able to be
here tonight and her plaque will be delivered to her.
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Chairman Owens presented a plaque to Teresia Foreman for the July 2007 Volunteer of the Month.
She has not only volunteered herself, but she has beseeched help from her family and also church
members that helped with the following events:
• Organized over 40 volunteers to help with 2005 Arbor Daze
• Organized over 30 volunteers to help with the 2006 Texas Trash Off
• Organized volunteers to help with the 2006 Halloween event
• Organized volunteers to help with the 2006 Holidaze KidZone
• Organized church members to participate in the 2006 Christmas Parade of Lights
• Organized volunteers to help with the 2007 Arbor Daze Festival
Mrs. Foreman thanked the Board Members and said she enjoys volunteering and plans to do even
more for the department.
Chairman Owens presented a plaque to Nick and Martina Rodriquez for the August 2007
Volunteers of the Month. They have recently joined our program and they have already made a
positive impact in our city. They have worked the following events:
• 2007 Easter Egg Hunt
• 2007 Texas Trash Off
• 2007 Arbor Daze Festival
• Concert in the Park
• Movies in the Park
• They plan to help with our annual Stars Over Euless event in October
Mr. and Mrs. Rodriquez thanked the Board Members for their award.
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.
He said the June 2007 residential Beautification Award goes to James and Pat Fultz at 1905
Marlene. Their yard has a beautiful landscape with great use of shrubs and bedding plants. The
lawn is well maintained and catches your attention as you drive by. One look and you know the
owners take pride in their yard. Mr. and Mrs. Fultz thanked the Board Members for their award.
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Chairman Owens said the June 2007 business/civic/governmental Beautification Award goes to
Miller Muffler and Radiator at 301 W. Euless Blvd. He said this is a great industrial landscape that
is attractive and well maintained and catches your attention as your drive by. Chairman Owens
said their plaque would be delivered to them since they were not here tonight.
Chairman Owens said the July 2007 residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to Pat and
Amy McClure at 702 International. This yard is beautifully landscaped with a great selection of
shrubs and bedding plants. The lawn is lush and dark green and well maintained. Mr. and Mrs.
McClure thanked the Board for their plaque.
Chairman Owens said the July 2007 business/civic/governmental Beautification Award goes to
Kwik Kar Lube and Tune at 103 E. Harwood Road. This property is attractive and well maintained
and catches your attention as your drive by. 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. John Giacometto
with Kwik Kar Lube and Tune was present to accept his award and said they are glad to be a part of
Euless and said his wife is the one who does most of the landscape work.
Chairman Owens said the August 2007 residential Beautification Award of the Month goes to Val
Zuniga at 501 Aransas Drive. This yard is beautifully landscaped with a great selection of shrubs
and bedding plants. The owner has added a pavestone retaining wall as well as a white vinyl fence
to show off their well manicured yard. This beautiful landscape catches your attention as you drive
by. Mr. Zuniga thanked the Board and said his wife is the one behind him that makes sure
everything gets done.
Chairman Owens said the August business/civic/governmental Beautification Award goes to Taco
Bell/Pizza Hut at 100 E. Euless Blvd. This is a great industrial landscape with lots of shrubs and
plants. Plants and shrubs have even been added along the drive through area. This property is
attractive and well maintained. 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. Chairman Owens said their
plaque would be delivered to them since they were not present tonight.
IV. Business of the Tree Board
Tree Board Vice Chairman Carroll Scott read the reports for June, July and August.
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V. Parks and Community Services Reports
Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald thanked all the volunteers for helping
with our events and also for the Beautification Award recipients tonight for all their hard work in
making our community a more beautiful place to live.
He also mentioned that our Special Events Supervisor Michael Davenport returned from the Texas
Festivals and Events Association (TFEA) conference and the City of Euless Parks and Community
Services Department won six(6)awards.
• Best Original Newsletter—Euless Today(Arbor Daze edition)
• Best Cover Design—Euless Today(Arbor Daze edition)
• Best volunteer Program—Arbor Daze
• Best Environmental Program—Arbor Daze Tree Giveaway
• Best Education Award—Stars Over Euless
• Best Children's Program—Bicycle Rodeo
a. Discussion of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan—Ray McDonald
Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald gave an update on the progress of
updating the Master Plan. He mentioned that with input from the Board he hoped to bring forth the
needs assessment and recommendations at the next meeting. He expressed that this document is
critical to the future planning and development of our parks and recreation system and that he
hopes the members of the Board will support and contribute to the document as we work towards a
formal recommendation and then an adoption of the plan.
Chairman Owens thanked Ray for his report and asked the Board Members to send in their priority
lists to Ray by Friday,August 10t.
VI. Other New Business
Chairman Owens reminded the Board that our next meeting will be on September 10t due to the
Labor Day holiday.
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VII. Input from City Council Members and Visitors
Council Member Leon Hogg mentioned Council just got back from the budget work session and
they accomplished a lot of work. He also commented on the Master Plan and how very important
this plan is and we do need to keep it updated for continued projects and growth in the city.
Billy Owens with A.A.R.P. said the churches recently held a canned food drive and all cans
collected went to the area food bank. They also did a school drive for Oakwood Terrace teachers to
collect supplies for students.
Teresia Foreman said there is a need for parks and playgrounds for disadvantaged kids. She said
Euless has at least three school buses of disadvantaged students so we are in dire need for these
kids to have recreational facilities close to them instead of having to go to other cities. Mrs.
Foreman also mentioned that our schools are in need of school supplies and if anyone would like to
donate supplies they can be taken to Schools Closet, which is located by Central Junior High.
Alex Horton mentioned that we all need to support Ray and the Parks and Community Services
Department with all the events they do in our community.
Chairman Owens said he appreciated everyone being here tonight and thanked Ray and his
department for everything they do.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting
was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Chairman Attest