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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-04 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD FEBRUARY 4, 2002 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 4, 2002, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Eric Owens. Other Board Members present were Stacey Hollinger, Glendora Waldrup, Carl Miller, Boyce Byers, Bruce Ebert and alternate Mike Daniel. Board Member Carroll "Scotty" Scott was absent. Staff members present were: Director of Community Services Rick Herold, Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green, Superintendent of Recreation Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager Ray McDonald and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present were: Council Member Leon Hogg, Tim Rolen, Constance and Malcolm Stone, and Tammy and Stephanie Money. INVOCATION Glendora Waldrup gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Owens asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the January 7, 2002 regular meeting. There being no changes Boyce Byers made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Stacey Hollinger. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS I. Board Member's Reports Mr. Ebert said he had no report this evening for The Parks at Texas Star but said it is probably in good shape as always. Mrs. Byers said South Euless Park looks fine but she noticed that a homeowner had replaced his fence and left junk on the park side. At Heritage Park the Himes Log Cabin fence was broken and flags were stolen. She said a neighbor of the park said that kids have been skipping school and coming to the park and being destructive. Mrs. Byers said the museum and log cabin were both clean. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 February 4, 2002 Mr. Hollinger said both J. A. Carr and Kiddy Carr parks looked good and had lots of activity. He also mentioned there has been someone riding a four-wheeler in the ball fields at Midway Park. Mrs. Waldrup had no report for Bob Eden Park due to the road construction and the playground equipment at Trailwood Park looked good. Mr. Miller reported that Westpark was clean and well kept. He was very impressed with the work that has been done at Wilshire Park and all the new amenities added. He also mentioned that some residents are concerned about the loss of trees at Wilshire Park. Mr. Daniel said both McCormick and Villages of Bear Creek parks are very clean. He said there had been lots of walkers at the Villages of Bear Creek Park and he further stated his concern with the erosion at both parks from the recent rains. Chairman Owens said there has not been much activity at Midway Park. He also said the park is in great shape and there is new landscaping around the recreation building. He said Blessing Branch Park looks good as always. II. Volunteer of the Month Chairman Owens introduced Constance and Malcolm Moore as the January Volunteers of the Month and presented them with a plaque. Constance said she has grown up in Euless and appreciates having events to volunteer at and always enjoys the events that are offered to residents. The February Volunteer of the Month Gary Green was not present tonight. Director of Parks and Community Services Rick Herold presented Tammy Money with the `Spirit of Arbor Daze Award' plaque for her twelve years of commitment and dedication with the Arbor Daze Festival. He said Tammy has been handling the Arbor Daze Business Exposition vendors for the past twelve years and commends her for the great job she has done with working with helping the vendors prepare for Arbor Daze each year. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 February 4, 2002 NEW BUSINESS III. Business of the Tree Board Tree Board Chairman Ebert said there were eight tree-related purchases for the month of January 2002. He also mentioned the 2001 Tree City USA application had been approved and endorsed by the State Forester and was forwarded to the National Arbor Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green said there were 122 trees planted during the month of January. He said the annual `Christmas Tree Recycle' program was held in January and many citizens were present to pick up a bag of mulch and a free Red Oak sapling. Mr. Green also mentioned trees were planted at the Wilshire Park around the pond and walking trail. IV. Beautification Discussion Director of Parks and Community Services Rick Herold addressed the Board regarding a beautification program similar to our Employee of the Month program at City Hall. He said many businesses have made a large impact on our community and felt that possibly such a program might be implemented to honor and recognize those businesses. Some of the Board Members inquired as to the standards and/or requirements for being recognized? Mr. Herold suggested that maybe a committee could be formed with a couple of Park Board Members and staff members. Chairman Owens concurred in forming a sub-committee and Carl Miller suggested that Boyce Byers be on the Beautification Committee. Mr. Herold mentioned that the committee and staff would work together to set standards for recognizing local businesses in the community. V. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Recreation Center Update—Suzanne Hendrickson Recreation Superintendent Suzanne Hendrickson said the tentative date for the Midway Recreation Center re-opening will be on Saturday, February 23rd from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. She said there would be a ribbon cutting, tours and freebies given away during the event. Ms. Hendrickson said she appreciates all the support that has been given by the Park Board Members and hopes they will all be present, along with City Council on Saturday, February 23rd. She said a mass mail-out would be sent to all residents in the city regarding the re-opening of the Midway Recreation Center. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 February 4, 2002 b. Arbor Daze Update—Ray McDonald Recreation Manager Ray McDonald distributed a March 2002 schedule of events and mentioned that Arbor Daze is right around the corner. He said this will be the fourteenth year for the event and this year there will be a total of three radio stations. He said along with KLUV would be their sister stations KVIL and The OASIS. A different radio station (Friday night KVIL, Saturday night KLUV and Sunday The OASIS) will sponsor each night. Mr. McDonald said there would also be three separate tickets, one for each night of the festival. Each radio station will do live promotions throughout the area and give away tickets for their respective night at Arbor Daze. He also stated that on the main stage area this year for the first time would be a 17' x 24' jumbo tron screen in order that everyone can see the concert as well as for commercials throughout the event. Mr. McDonald said we would again have Carnival Night on Thursday, April 25th. He also reminded the Board Members of the Arbor Daze Auction scheduled for Saturday, March 211" at 7:00 p.m. at the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Also the Arbor Daze Community Workday is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with lunch being provided in order to erect banners, put out trash receptacles, rope off parking lots and anything else which is needed. c. Parks Department Update—Johnnie Green Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green advised the Board Members that his staff is working on the rose garden at J. A. Carr Park. The rose beds will be raised and Texas hardy roses have been ordered for the park. These roses will be drought tolerant as well as disease tolerant and will need very little care and these roses will have multiple blooms during the season. Mr. Green also mentioned that Bob Eden and Villages of Bear Creek parks flooded from the last recent rains. He said the Parks and Public Works department worked all day on March l St in order to re-asphalt the road into Bob Eden Park due to the flooding. d. Community Services Report—Rick Herold Mr. Herold commented on how nice the Midway Recreation Center looks and said that facilities has been working very closely in the remodeling and he hopes all the Park Board Members will be present at the re-grand opening event. He also commended Mr. Green's staff on their hard work at Wilshire Park and said they will continue to do more improvements to the area. Mr. Herold thanked Carl Miller for all his support and help with the school district during this time of recreation center remodeling. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 February 4, 2002 He also said that Mr. Sandlin with Sandlin Homes plans to attend the March meeting to brief the Board Members on the new development that will be constructed on the old horse farm property. Mr. Herold also said from this new development and park space that the city will be able to now tie the Villages of Bear Creek and McCormick parks together. He also mentioned the Parks at Texas Star Committee will kick off their Phase III meeting on February 7th at 7:15 a.m. in Building "A". He also reminded the Board Members of the upcoming Arbor Daze Auction scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Dr Pepper StarCenter and hopes everyone will come out for a fun time. Mrs. Byers inquired as to the additional funding from the state for the proposed trail project. Mr. Herold said City Manager Joe Hennig was notified earlier today that Euless did not receive any money from the state funds. VI. Other New Business Mr. Daniel inquired as to the status of the Tree Ordinance. Council Member Hogg said the City Council all received a rough draft and he was not sure if all drafts had been turned back into Mike Collins for reviewing. He said many of the Council Members were concerned with new development and existing large trees on undeveloped property. Mrs. Byers inquired as to the status of the new Parks Department building. Mr. Green advised the Board Members that the outer walls most of the HVAC and wall studs have been installed. He said the facility should be completed by June 1st and will be a very nice building which will compliment The Parks at Texas Star complex. VII. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Council Member Hogg said he attended the H-E-B Sports Hall of Fame, there were several Park Board Members in attendance and everyone enjoyed the event that was held at the Texas Star Conference Centre. He also mentioned that seven (7) new sirens had been purchased. Council Member Hogg said that the homes on Main Street had been bulldozed for the street widening project and many trees had been marked for saving. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 February 4, 2002 Ray McDonald advised the Board Members that he received a call from a sport-marketing firm in Dallas regarding a potential site for a Celebrity Baseball Tournament. He said the tournament would be held at The Parks at Texas Star complex and then they would have a function afterwards at the Conference Centre. He said some of the celebrities include Mike Modano, Mark Cubin, Nolan Ryan and other noted celebrities. He said he would update the Board when he receives more information. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct,the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. v„,zep: Chairman Attest '