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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-06 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD AUGUST 6, 2001 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, 2001, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Vice Chairman Glendora Waldrup. Other Board Members present were: Boyce Byers, Bruce Ebert, Stacey Hollinger, Carl Miller and alternates Carroll "Scotty" Scott and Mike Daniel. No members were absent. NOTE: Chairman Eric Owens arrived at 7:40 p.m. Staff members present were: Director of Community Services Rick Herold, Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green, Superintendent of Recreation Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager Ray McDonald, Horticulturist Jimmy Beck and Administrative Secretary Linda Lux. Visitors present were: Helen Lightbody, Shari Smith, Michele and Dan Burger, Mike Utzman, Maureen Sternfels, Kathy Jones and Charley and Blanche LaFontaine. INVOCATION Boyce Byers gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chairman Waldrup asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the June 4, 2001 regular meeting. There being no changes Boyce Byers made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Carl Miller. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS II. Volunteer of the Month Mr. Herold presented Michele Burger with a plaque for the July Volunteer of the Month. He said Michele has been very involved with the city of many years. She has helped with the Dixie Major World Series, Dog Daze of Summer, Arbor Daze and the Heritage Park Christmas Celebration. She has also been a member of the Historical Preservation Committee, Library Foundation and is the founding donor of a windmill that was recently moved to Heritage Park and she is also a dance instructor and teaches dance classes at Midway Recreation Center. Michele thanked everyone for the plaque and said she has been volunteering for many years and feels that everyone should give back to the city whenever possible. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 2 August 6,2001 Mr. Herold also presented Helen Lightbody with a plaque for the August Volunteer of the Month. She has volunteered many hours for the New Year's Eve Concert as well as the Fall Music Concerts. Helen has also been involved with the annual Arbor Daze Auction. She has been a past member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks and Leisure Services Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. She is presently on the Historical Preservation Committee and the Industrial Development Authority Board. Helen thanked Rick and the Board for the plaque. I. Board Member's Reports Mr. Ebert said Bob Eden Park continues to look nice even with all the road construction being done. He did notice that a fitness sign was missing, but said all the ball fields were in good shape. Trailwood Park also looks nice. He said the trail between both parks was litter free but noticed some major tree limbs broken and hanging down along the trail. The Sulphur Branch Park looks nice, was recently mowed and the xeriscape looks good. Mr. Miller said at South Euless Park there was new playground equipment, irrigation is being installed, the pool was shut down for a short time for repair and he noticed a dead cottonwood tree. He said Heritage Park looks nice. Mr. Hollinger said both McCormick and Villages of Bear Creek parks were in good shape but we need the rain. Mr. Scott said at J. A. Carr Park the gazebo needs to be washed down due to birds nesting under the open pavilion area and the roses look bad. At Kiddy Carr Park the creek bed was full of trash, the creek needs to be cleaned and he noticed erosion towards the rear of the park by the pawnshop. He also mentioned the mulch pile towards the street looks bad and the trash had not been emptied. Mrs. Waldrup suggested that maybe we could organize volunteer groups to clean out the creek area. Mr. Daniel said all issues had been addressed at West Park and Midway Park has had lots of activity at both the pool and park. Mrs. Waldrup said the ball fields look good at Midway Park but needs some attention due to the high usage this summer. There have been many users of the pool and lots of usage in the fitness center as well as the basketball court. She said Blessing Branch Park was clean and recently mowed. Mrs. Waldrup said this is a nice park with a nice creek area and this would be a good area for the proposed trails. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 3 August 6,2001 Mrs. Byers said the Special Events for June and July consisted of: (1) Dallas 2012 event on June 20th with great news coverage and lots of citizens in attendance; (2) Super Series National Tournament July 7th at the Parks at Texas Star with 75 teams, Vince Vance and fireworks; (3) Summer Musical "South Pacific" July 13th-14th and July 20th-21st which was a sell-out on both week-ends at the Villages of Bear Creek Mrs. Byers informed Mr. Green of the washed out areas at West Park. Mr. Miller said he has spent lots of time this summer at the Athletic Complex and said the fields and park are in great shape. He said there has been lots of usage at the park and he has also noticed many users of the sand volleyball area each night. He said the fireworks display at the opening of the Super Series was fabulous. NEW BUSINESS III. Business of the Tree Board—Bruce Ebert Tree Board Chairman Bruce Ebert said during June the Parks staff were doing clean-up work from the recent storm damage. During July 200 trees were given away at the annual Rec-Fest by Suzanne Hendrickson and Heidi Hulin. They set-up the Arbor Daze Tree Game booth for participants to play and they said their booth was the most popular at the event. Mr. Herold informed the Board that Planning and Development has started working again on the Tree Ordinance and it should be on the next meeting in September. Arbor Daze has been nominated for a National Arbor Day Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. IV. Presentation by Euless Resident Mr. Mike Utzman Mr. Mike Utzman, 811 Rock Creek Drive, addressed the Board regarding a performing arts center for the city. He feels a"StarPlex" type facility should be built in order to house our concert venues and current outdoor musicals. This proposed facility would create an identity for the city and we could use corporate sponsorships (i.e. Home Depot; Dr Pepper and etc.) like our Arbor Daze event. The facility would be used for the performing arts on an on-going basis and also used year round for other events. Mr. Utzman is asking the Board for a vote of support and confidence for this project before he makes a presentation to City Council requesting a feasibility study be done. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 4 August 6,2001 Some Board Members inquired as to the location of the proposed facility. Mr. Utzman said there are a couple of vacant locations within the city: (1) S. Pipeline Road and S. Industrial, (2) the present Arbor Daze site, (3) north of town by the new Target location and (4) on D/FW Airport property. Chairman Owens advised Mr. Utzman and the audience that this is on the Parks Master Plan and will be considered by the Board in the next couple of years. It was further stated that the Board wants more information on this project and the Board is not ready to make a decision at this meeting. Chairman Owens feels we need to look at this project further and appreciates Mr. Utzman's time tonight at the meeting. Mr. Utzman stated again that he feels his presentation would be better received by City Council if he has the Board behind this project. The consensus of the Board feels that additional information is needed before they could support the project. V. Discussion of Cooperative Park Agreement—Rick Herold Mr. Herold advised the Board that the First United Methodist Church is possibly interested in putting in some practice fields on the east side of their property. He said this would greatly help the athletic associations in their need for practice fields. There would be practice fields, a volleyball court and a walking/jogging trail on the property. He did say there are still some legal issues that need to be addressed by the church. Chairman Owens asked who would do the scheduling of the fields? Mr. Herold said the church would oversee the scheduling of fields. He further stated that this is only a concept and he will keep the Board abreast of the situation with the church. Mr. Herold also advised the Board that Reflection Park has now legally been deeded to the city. VI. Parks and Community Services Reports a. Texas SmartScape—Jimmy Beck Horticulturist Jimmy Beck presented the Board with a new CD `Texas SmartScape' which was produced through NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments) with the help of other Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 5 August 6,2001 agencies in Tarrant County. The name `Texas SmartScape' now replaces the term `Xeriscape'. This new CD will walk the user through plants, animals of our region, a how-to section on creating your own drought tolerant landscape in your yard. The CD will also list sites available for viewing. He said the city is in the process of installing a `SmartScape' area in front of the new Parks and Community Services building on Royal Parkway. This area will consist of herbs, desert plants, annuals and perennials of this region of North Texas. Mr. Beck said a `SmartScape' seminar will be held in the fall and conducted by Dotty Woodson. Mr. Herold said there is going to be a `SmartScape' project along North Main Street after the street construction is completed. b. Park Facility Update—Johnnie Green Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green showed pictures of the groundbreaking of the new parks facility and said the proposed facility will house a shop area of 37,000 square feet (excluding offices) which will allow all equipment to be housed indoors in the bay area. He also mentioned the new greenhouse would be twice the size of the existing facility. Mr. Green showed drawings of the new facility and the location where the building will be built, which will be by the existing Golf Maintenance building. Chairman Owens mentioned he visited the new Parks and Community Services building and said how nice it was and hopes everyone will go by and take a look at the new facility. c. Midway Recreation Center Renovations—Suzanne Hendrickson Recreation Superintendent Suzanne Hendrickson said funding for Midway Recreation Center was approved and the facility will be closed for two weeks for renovations. She said the renovations will consist of: (1) new carpet around the walls in the gym and track; (2) painting; (3) replacing of counters; (4) rubber flooring will be added to the game area and detailed cleaning of the facility. The facility will be closed from August 20th through September 3rd for the renovations. d. Midway Recreation Center Fee Structure Proposal—Ray McDonald Recreation Manager Ray McDonald stated the usage and numbers are very high at The Rec Center and is suggesting creating a fund for the kids by slightly increasing member fees across the board. He said this additional money would go into a special account for youth programming and would be required to have Board approval before the money is used for programming. Mr. Miller said he is not in favor of any increases and feels The Rec should be free to all kids. Mr. Ebert suggested that maybe a scholarship program could be formed for youth programming. Chairman Owens said he wants more information and suggested this discussion be continued at the September meeting. Parks and Leisure Services Board Page 6 August 6,2001 e. Budget /Facility Update—Rick Herold Mr. Herold thanked the Mayor, City Council and Park Board for all their support in the recent budget reviews. Council Member Hogg said Midway Recreation Center will receive a new roof and air conditioning and the front of the building will be repainted. He said all the recreation center budgets were approved which consisted of new chairs and tables for Midway, Ruth Millican and Simmons Center. Council Member Hogg also said the city is redoing all the well systems and storage centers. The budget approved five (5) defibrillators which will be installed at Softball World, Texas Star, Library, Simmons Center and in the Administration Building. He said there would be a citywide open house later in the fall after the new police and courts building opens. He also stated that City Council put money in the fund for Phase Three of The Parks at Texas Star in 2003. f. Other Reports/Photos/Numbers There were no other reports for discussion. VI. Other New Business There was no new business to discuss. VIII. Input from City Council Members and Visitors Blanche LaFontaine had a complaint regarding J. A. Carr Park. She said the new irrigation system is flooding the new walk path on the trail and she would like for the sprinklers to come on early in the morning so as not to interfere with the walkers. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Owens gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct,the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. 1 Chairman Atte t