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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-04 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD MARCH 4, 2002 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2002, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present were: Glendora Waldrup, Carl Miller, Boyce Byers, Bruce Ebert and alternates Carroll "Scotty" Scott and Mike Daniel. Board Member Stacey Hollinger was absent. Staff members present were: Director of Community Services Rick Herold, Superintendent of Recreation Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager Ray McDonald, Planning and Development Manager Eric Wilhite and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present were: Council Member Leon Hogg,Alex Horton and Billy Owens. INVOCATION Boyce Byers gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the February 4, 2002 regular meeting. There being no changes Boyce Byers made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Glendora Waldrup. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS I. Board Member's Reports Mr. Ebert said there has not been much use at The Parks at Texas Star this past weekend. He said the complex is in very good condition and is a very attractive facility. He did notice the paint had begun to fade on the metal entrance area. Mrs. Byers said both South Euless and Heritage parks are in good condition. She did comment on the holes in the parking lot at the Westpark facility and said the parking lot does need to be repaired. She said she also went by the new parks department building which is in the process of being constructed and said this will be a very nice facility. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 March 4, 2002 Mr. Scott said the Special Events this past month were the re-grand opening of the Midway Recreation Center and the Arbor Daze Auction. He said there were many citizens in attendance at the Midway Recreation Center and it is now a very attractive facility. Mr. Scott said there was a good attendance at the Arbor Daze Auction on Saturday night despite the bad weather. He said he also went by the pond at Wilshire Park and this is a very attractive pond and suggested that if you have not gone by to see the pond then do so. Mrs. Waldrup said both Bob Eden and Trailwood parks were in good condition. Mr. Miller reported that Westpark had some potholes in the parking lot. He said Wilshire Park is a beautiful park and said the pond is an attractive feature to this park. He did inquire as to if the walkway from the parking lot to the trail would be paved. Mr. Herold stated a paved walkway would be installed. Mr. Daniel had no report for McCormick Park. He said there had been much activity at the Villages of Bear Creek Park and was very clean. Chairman Owens said there is not much activity at Blessing Branch Park. At Midway Park there has been lots of activity with baseball and the fields are in great shape. He said the recent re-grand opening of the Midway Recreation Center was a great success and there has been heavy usage of the facility since it re-opened. II. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens stated that the March Volunteer of the Month John Boling was not present tonight. NEW BUSINESS III. Business of the Tree Board Tree Board Chairman Ebert said the past month had been very busy with tree plantings and seedlings being grown for Arbor Daze next month. The rose garden at J. A. Carr Park has been renovated with new raised beds with pavestone borders around them. Also new hardier roses were purchased and planted which will be less tolerant to pest problems and will require less maintenance. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 March 4, 2002 IV. Parks and Texas Star Development Committee Update Chairman Owens advised the Board Members and audience that the above committee has had two meetings at the present time. He said Mike Daniel, Stacey Hollinger and he are representing the Park Board. He stated that there is a need for more ballfields for Phase III of the Parks at Texas Star Athletic Complex. He said the need for more parking is a big concern and the construction of parking spaces is very costly. Mr. Herold mentioned that the previous meetings had been scheduled for early mornings but would be moved to early evenings to accommodate City Council and Park Board Members better. V. Land Development Mr. Herold said he and Planning and Development Manager Eric Wilhite have met with Mr. Terry Sandlin (with Sandlin Homes) regarding Fountain Park Place, the name of his proposed housing development. Mr. Sandlin has purchased the property where the old horse farm was on Fuller Wiser and wants to donate some of the land in the flood zone to the city for parkland. Mr. Wilhite stated that the city would apply for a $500,000 grant application from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He said this donated park land would include two ponds, trail linkage from McCormick Park to the Villages of Bear Creek Park and would offer unique wetlands vegetation, fountains and potential boardwalk viewing of the proposed park area. Mr. Wilhite stated that the current Parks Master Plan would have to be revised. Mr. Herold advised the Board Members that this potential park would have a ten-foot wide trail around the development with passive recreation amenities. VI. Discussion and Appointment of Beautification Sub-Committee Chairman Owens stated that last month it was discussed that the Board would appoint a sub- committee to meet quarterly (or on an as-needed basis). He asked if Mrs. Byers and Mr. Scott would be on the Sub-Committee that would also include staff from the Parks Department. They both agreed to be the representatives for the beautification sub-committee. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 March 4, 2002 VII. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Recreation Center Re-Opens— Suzanne Hendrickson Recreation Superintendent Suzanne Hendrickson distributed a handout with usage numbers at Midway Recreation Center during the first week after re-opening and said that almost 2,000 people had visited the facility. She also mentioned that there were 526 new members during that same time frame. They have also installed more treadmills as well as three new elliptical machines in the fitness center. Chairman Owens said everyone was having a great time when he stopped by the Rec Center on the grand re-opening day. Mr. Daniel said there has been lots of users in the facility when he goes in to play racquetball in the early mornings. b. Arbor Daze Auction and Arbor Daze Review—Ray McDonald Recreation Manager Ray McDonald informed the Board Members that the attendance at the Arbor Daze Auction held on March 2°1 was smaller than last year but we raised more than $20,000. He thanked the Dr Pepper StarCenter for the use of their facility and said all entertainment acts had been confirmed. Mr. McDonald said the HEB Central Market presents The Home Depot Expo as a new addition this year to Arbor Daze with celebrity chefs making appearances and do cooking demonstrations during the three-day festival, as well as having manufacturers display items. He said the Arbor Daze layout would be the same as last year with the exception of the celebrity chef s tent. Again this year Pavestone will be doing all the landscaping and TXU, Landmark Bank and Home Depot will be sponsoring the trees. Thursday night, April 25th, will again be Carnival Night from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Mr. McDonald said Euless residents can get their Arbor Daze coupon and parking passes for all three days at the Raven's Grille. Mr. McDonald reminded everyone of the Arbor Daze Community Day on Saturday, April 20th from 10 a.m. —2:00 p.m. at the site on Fuller Wiser and Bear Creek Parkway. Mr. Ebert mentioned that Central Market is very big in Rockport, Texas, and they are very civic minded as well as very community oriented and he is glad to see them participating in Arbor Daze. c. Parks Department Facilities Report—Johnnie Green Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green stated the new parks facility building is coming right along and is really looking good. He said he and his staff are very excited about moving into the new building sometime in June. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 March 4, 2002 d. Community Services Report—Rick Herold Mr. Herold mentioned that the Parks and Community Services departments have been very busy. He said the attendance for the Arbor Daze Auction was good despite the weather and the grand re- opening for the Midway Recreation Center had a great attendance and everyone was delighted with all the improvements to the facility. Mr. Herold also distributed a copy of a feasibility study (preliminary project overview) for a concert/performing arts venue for the City of Euless that Mike Utzman presented at the recent City Council meeting. Mr. McDonald also reminded the Board Members and audience of the Darden Smith concert at the Texas Star Conference Centre for Friday night, March 8th. VIII. Other New Business Mrs. Byers reminded everyone of the Easter Egg Hunt on March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Parks at Texas Star. Also the citywide open house is scheduled for March 23rd from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Byers said the Historical Preservation Committee recently had an Education Day at Heritage Park for the school children with live demonstrations (churning butter and live chickens). IX. Inuut from City Council Members and Visitors Council Member Hogg said the contract has been let on the old Police Department building. He said after the building is remodeled that Information Services, Purchasing and Fire Administration will be moving into the facility. He also mentioned new flashing lights will be installed around all the schools and City Council has also approved the purchase of a new fifty-foot Christmas Tree. He reminded everyone of the citywide open house and said there will be different council members at each facility to greet the public. Council Member Hogg said the Lions Club is helping with the Easter Egg Hunt again this year and reminded everyone of the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Dr Pepper StarCenter on March 9th. Mr. Alex Horton asked the Board Members to give consideration to a mountain bike trail to compliment our current trails system. He said there are many older riders, him included, who are now into mountain biking and felt this might be a good market for this type of recreation. Mr. Billy Owens mentioned they have started getting many speakers at the Senior Center and inquired as to getting a PA system for the facility. He said anything they could get would be appreciated. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 March 4, 2002 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct,the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. 'r .d. i , —.1...,' — airman Attest 7 ,