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Home My WebLink About2005-03-07 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD MARCH 7,2005 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2005, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City Hall building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present: Carroll "Scotty" Scott, Glendora Waldrup and alternates Randy Jones and John Raab. Members absent: Mike Daniel and Stacey Hollinger. (Note: Boyce Byers resigned from the Board in February.) Staff members present: Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Parks Manager Johnnie Green, Parks Superintendent Terry Boaz, Recreation Manager Suzanne Hendrickson and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present: Billy Owens with A.A.R.P., Ernie Flores with Chick-Fil-A,Alex Horton, Ray and Sue Kunze. Also present were homeowners from the Fountain Park Addition which included: Deby Green, David Pollock, Jim & Ruth Sills, Connie Ortiz, Thomas & Gail Gassert, Rafael & Meredith Villanueva, Jia Cheng, Kelly Roberson, Leo Moster, Penny Morgan, Glenn Davis, Vincent Casey, Roist & Donna Bauer, Damon Crim, Jeff Pravett, Terranco & Angela Carson, Karen Sanders, Lucy Fernad, Nancy Scott, Joy Randall, Trenton Brackett, Marilyn, Schmitt, Benji Inuzuka, David Ryzman, Mary Halenza, Sandra Anderson and Everett& Kathy Hartzler. INVOCATION Glendora Waldrup gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the February 7, 2005 regular meeting. Glendora Waldrup made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Carroll Scott. The vote was unanimous. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 March 7,2005 OLD BUSINESS I. Board Member's Reports Carroll Scott said McCormick Park was in good shape, the rocks/boulders are a nice amenity to this park, there were some loose boards in the gazebo and he also noticed some fallen branches. The Villages of Bear Creek Park was also in good shape and the restrooms were up to date with the cleaning. Glendora Waldrup said Wilshire Park is a very neat park and has been greatly improved with the addition of the pond and walking trail. She said there were lots of people out walking the trail when she was there. She said West Park was also in great shape and the boulders are a nice enhancement to this park. She said she traveled down Main Street and new Arbor Daze banners had been placed along the street and there was also lots of color in the beds between Harwood Road and Midway Drive. Randy Jones said South Euless Park looks very clean and in good condition. There was some erosion in the park along a trench area. Heritage Park had new mulch added and this park was also in great condition. John Raab said there were lots of kids at Midway Park playing baseball and this park was in good shape. Blessing Branch Park was also in good shape. Chairman Owens mentioned Mike Daniel was absent tonight but his park is the Parks at Texas Star Athletic Complex and this park is always well maintained. Carroll Scott said more people are now using the trail at Bob Eden Park and the new sand volleyball court is really coming along. Glendora Waldrup said the sidewalks are now in at Trailwood Park and this is really an added plus to the park as well as a new drainage flume was added. She said this park looked good. Chairman Owens said the Special Events for February were: • February 10th - the Heritage Park tour for Harrison Lane Elementary with 76 kids touring the Fuller House and Himes Log House. • February 11`h — the Valentine's Dance at Midway Recreation Center had about 450 in attendance. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 March 7,2005 • February 12th — the Community Garage Sale at Midway Recreation Center had lots of shoppers. All booths were again sold out for this event. • March 5th — Arbor Daze Premier Night at Midway Recreation Center was again a great success and staff did an excellent job of securing items. We also appreciate Ray and Sue Kunze for all their help with the auction. Chairman Owens said since Boyce Byers has resigned from the Board that he will start doing the park report for J.A. Carr and Kidd Carr parks. Billy Owens did say that J. A. Carr Park is in great shape and the seniors do pick up trash in the park when they are out walking. II. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens presented Ernie Flores, Manager of Chick-Fil-A, with a plaque for all their participation in our special events. Chick-Fil-A has participated in the following events: • Arbor Daze 2004—they supplied food for staff and volunteers • KidFish 2004—they again supplied food for staff and volunteers • Halloween 2004—they gave out prizes and coupons for free sandwiches • Christmas Parade of Lights 2004 —they supplied food again for staff and volunteers as well as handing out coupons for free food • Heritage Park Christmas 2004 —they brought out their famous cow who handed out prizes to the kids. Ernie thanked the Board Members for this award and said the city has been good about helping them out and they enjoy working with the city and getting involved with our events. NEW BUSINESS III. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Recreation Report—Suzanne Hendrickson Suzanne updated the Board Members on the following: Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 March 7,2005 Upcoming Special Events • Friday, March 11th — Spring Break Movie Night at 7:30 p.m. at Midway Recreation Center and admission is a can of food which will be donated to the Tarrant Area Food Bank • Saturday, March 19th — Easter Eggstravaganza from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Parks at Texas Star soccer field • Saturday, April 2nd — the Texas Trash Off from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with all volunteers meeting at Showplace Lanes Midway Recreation Center • There were 10,480 visits during February • 457 memberships were sold • 1,299 hours on the cardio equipment • 4,141 fitness center visits Simmons Senior Center • 1,097 visits to the center • 3 trips were taken in February Parks at Texas Star • February 18th- 20th — Super Series "National" qualifier (for 12, 13 & 14 year olds) had 14 teams • February 25th- 27th—USSSA"AAA" WS qualifier(for 10, 12 & 14 year olds)had 14 teams • March 4th—6th—Triple Crown qualifier with 100 teams Suzanne said upcoming events at the Parks at Texas Star will be: • March 11th- 13th-Super Series"American" Qualifier(for 9, 11 and 13 year olds) • March 18th — 20th — 5th Annual "AA" Texas Star Kick-Off Classic (for 8, 10, 12 and 14 years old) • March 19th—Opening day for EAA and EGSA b. Community Services Report—Ray McDonald Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald updated the Board Members and audience on the Preserve at McCormick Park project. Ray thanked all the homeowners for being present tonight regarding the Preserve project. He said this project began two years ago and it will Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 March 7,2005 go before City Council tomorrow night to award the bid to the lowest contractor. Once the contractor has been approved and all documents have been signed,then the contractor will have 150 days to complete the project. The Preserve at McCormick Park will consist of twenty-seven (27) acres which was donated to the city by Terry Sandlin with Sandlin Homes. The Preserve will consist of a playground, pavilion, picnic areas, as well as an outdoor classroom amphitheater. A trail will also be constructed to run along the north and east side of the eastern pond. Along the trail they will construct a boardwalk, a fishing pier and later a bridge will be constructed off-site and brought in to cross over the creek on the northeast side of the east pond. After the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approves this project then the trail will tie into the sidewalk in Fountain Park. This project will also have a national historic tree grove, native species area trail, bird blind area for bird watching, interpretive signage throughout the entire park and a lighted pavilion. He also stated that Terry Sandlin must maintain the vegetation around the ponds for two years, making sure all plantings required by the Army Corps of Engineers survive during this two year period and then after October 2006 the city will start maintaining the area around the ponds. Mr. Sandlin has also planted hundreds of trees and plants in the Preserve and again this park will remain a native park with very little maintenance provided. The city will ask for a ten-foot easement running from the home owner's property (fence line) into the park and for this area to be maintained by the property owner/homeowners association. Mr. McDonald further mentioned that all benches, playground equipment and even the boardwalk will be made of recycled plastic materials. IV. Other New Business Chairman Owens said we will start the Beautification Award of the Month at our April meeting. The sub-committee will consist of Board Members Carroll Scott and Glendora Waldrup. They will work with Tim Rolen, Jimmy Beck, Ralph Klein and Johnnie Green to help with the final selections each month. Chairman Owens also mentioned that if any Board Members would like to volunteer for the sponsor's hospitality trailer to please get with Linda for scheduling to work. V. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Billy Owens said the A.A.R.P. Adopt-A-Park program is going good at J.A. Carr(Simmons) Park. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 March 7,2005 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. Being no further business to conduct,the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. C airman Attest __