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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-06 Regular Meeting Parks and Leisure Services Board February 6,2006 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 6, 2006, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll "Scotty" Scott, Mike Daniel, Randy Jones, John Raab and alternates Boyce Byers, John Elder and Sonja Adams. Members absent: Stacey Hollinger. Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks Superintendent Terry Boaz, Parks Manager Johnnie Green, Recreation Manager Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Supervisor Randy Smith and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present: Billy Owens(AARP)and Migdalia Cruz. INVOCATION Mike Daniel gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the January 9, 2006 regular meeting. Carroll Scott made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Mike Daniel. The vote was unanimous. I. Board Member's Reports Mike Daniel said there were a couple of lights out at Bob Eden Park and noticed there were lots of users on the soccer field. He said Trailwood Park was very busy today with walkers. Carroll Scott said there is lots of erosion at South Euless Park. At Heritage Park he said the upper door was open on the barn and the park was in good shape. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 February 6, 2006 John Raab said Reflection Park was clean. He said the Villages of Bear Creek Park was clean, some erosion along where the proposed dog area will be and he inquired if some of the old benches will be repainted. He also mentioned that the trail area needs more gravel. Parks Manager Johnnie Green said a contractor has been hired to remove the old playground equipment at the Villages of Bear Creek Park and install a new one. Randy Jones said J. A. Carr Park looked fine but said he noticed a broken water meter cover. He also visited Kiddy Carr Park and was not sure where the boundaries were and noticed lots of dirt mounds in this park. Johnnie Green said dirt bikers like to use Kiddy Carr Park so we have left the dirt for them to use for their bikes and during warm weather there are lots of kids that use the basketball court located near the apartments. Boyce Byers said the Special Events for January were: • January 14th was the Christmas Tree Recycling event and there were about 50 people in attendance Boyce said the Valentine's Day Dance is Friday, February 10th at Midway Recreation Center. She also distributed a flyer of upcoming events and said that Jerry Poteet can always use volunteers and she would like to see the Board Members get involved with staff events. John Elder said he visited the Parks at Texas Star athletic complex twice this month and said this is a beautiful facility. Sonja Adams said West Park is a very clean park but she inquired if there could be more signage to the park since she almost passed the park as she was driving down Westpark Way. She said Wilshire Park was also clean and had lots of people out walking on the trail around the pond. She also said this park needs more signage as well. Chairman Owens said the two signs are rusted on Mack Drive and Joyce Street. He said the Preserve at McCormick Park is one of his favorite parks and he likes to walk the trail. He also commented on the new log benches and said they really add a natural touch to this park. The installation of the port-o-let enclosure is almost finished. He did ask if maybe a split rail fence could be installed over by the area of the unstable bank. He said both parks look good. Ms. Adams said she walks the Preserve three times a week and there are always lots of people out fishing in the pond and off the pier. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 February 6,2006 II. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens presented a plaque to Migdalia Cruz for the February Volunteer of the Month. He said she has just recently joined our Family of Volunteers and some of the events she has worked include: • In 2005 — Summer movie "A Shark's Tale", Bicycle Rodeo, Halloween event and the Heritage Park Christmas event • For 2006—she has signed up to do the Valentine's Family Dance, Brave Combo Concert, Texas Trash Off, East Egg Scramble and the Texas Junior Anglers Fishing event. Ms. Cruz thanked the Parks and Community Services department for the award and said the best way to love your city is by volunteering. She said volunteering is contagious and she plans to continue volunteering for our events. III. Business of the Tree Board Tree Board Chairman John Raab reported on the following for January: • cut tree cookies for the HEB School science coordinator since they are teaching yearly growth rings of a tree • planted a tree at Midway Park donated by a citizen • installed the tree trunks that will serve as seating in the Preserve's outdoor class room • made park benches out of logs at the Preserve—they turned out nice and are a great addition to the park • pruned trees obstructing fire trucks at Midway, South Euless, J.A. Carr parks and Harwood medians • installed"tree gater"tree watering bags at the Preserve—they are re-enforced woven plastic bags with drip holes that facilitate watering • held the annual Christmas Tree Recycle Day at Midway Park IV. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Midway Recreation Center Report—Randy Smith Midway Recreation Supervisor Randy Smith commented on the following: Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 February 6,2006 October—December From October through December: • there were over 900 class registrations • 687 memberships sold • 2,456 hours on the eight(8)cardio machines • over 7,500 visits to the fitness center January • Classes 1. 263 registered participants 2. 1,490 attended classes 3. eight(8) new classes were offered • Changes 1. added four(4)new weight machines 2. replaced two (2) weight machines 3. replaced one (1) treadmill 4. added one (1)new elliptical 5. replaced lockers and added a Digilock system • Numbers 1. 641 memberships sold 2. 1,429 hours on the cardio machines 3. 3,178 visits to the fitness center Randy said he also has a wonderful staff at Midway and they range anywhere from one (1) to six (6) years service with the city and they will be able to answer any questions you might have when visiting the facility. b. Community Services Report—Ray McDonald Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald said he received an application for the Adopt-A-Park program from the Girl Scouts Circle T Council /Troop#1717 who want to adopt the new Preserve at McCormick Park. He said there will be anywhere from eight to ten scouts and they all live close to this park. Chairman Owens asked the Board Members to vote on the Adopt-A-Park application received. Mike Daniel made the motion to approve the Adopt-A-Park application for the Girl Scout Troop and the motion was seconded by Carroll Scott. The vote was unanimous. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 February 6,2006 Ray commented on the following: • Ray said he and Suzanne met with the principals from the elementary schools a few weeks ago and we are planning an Arbor Day celebration with the schools and all the fourth grade classes by having a "Poe-Tree Contest". Horticulturist Jimmy Beck will visit each of the schools and let them know the rules for the contest for the fourth graders. During the last week in April staff will visit each fourth grade class and give each child a tree to take home and plant. Also the Mayor will visit the winning "Poe-Tree Contest" school to present a Proclamation. • Jimmy Beck ordered bulbs and they have all been planted along Main Street. • TXU has approved the landscape plan for Mid-Cities Boulevard and this will be a great addition to the city. • The installation of the new playground has been started at the Villages of Bear Creek Park. • Will be opening bids this week for the irrigation project. • The deck chairs for the pools have been ordered. • The Parks at Texas Star is working on a scoreboard with a new design which represents an old time board where a scorekeeper will manually change the scores. • More trash cans and doggie stations have been ordered for the parks. Chairman Owens thanked Ray for his report. V. Other New Business Chairman Owens mentioned the Beautification Award program will start in May and we need to form a new sub-committee to help choose the winners for the residential and commercial Yard of the Month. He said this program runs from May to October each year and he would like the Board Members to let him know at the March meeting who would like to volunteer for this committee. Ray McDonald mentioned there was an organization change in our Community Services department. He said Chris Thames was promoted to General Manager of Softball World last week and Mark Long was promoted to Athletic Supervisor. We will be interviewing this week for the Athletic Coordinator position and hope to have this position filled within the next couple of weeks. Ray said both Chris and Mark will continue to do a great job in their new positions. VI. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Billy Owens with AARP said Ray has been working with the seniors to get improvements made to the Simmons Center and the seniors are very appreciative of this help. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 February 6,2006 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct,the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Air ()(1.11 Co--j Chairman Attest