HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-05 4,u
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REGULAR MEETING
PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD
October 5, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on
Monday, October 5, 1998, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by
Chairman Richard McNeese. Other Board Members present were: Bruce Ebert, Eric Owens,
Stacey Hollinger, Glendora Waldrup and alternates Carl Miller and Boyce Byers. There were no
members absent tonight. Staff members present were: Director of Community Services Rick
Herold, Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green, Leisure Services Manager Julia Wakeley, Program
Coordinator Heidi Hulin, Athletic Coordinator Andy Cedillo, Senior Citizen Coordinator Diane
Eggers, Youth Development Coordinator Tim O'Connell, Parks at Texas Star Manager Ray
McDonald, Community Services Financial Manager Janina Jewell and Administrative Secretary
Linda Lux.
Visitors present were: Council Member Leon Hogg, Jerry Robinson, Jake Jacobson, President of
Texas Thunder Soccer, Arborist Ralph Klein and Mike Matthews.
INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Boyce Byers.
AWARD PRESENTATION
The Parks and Leisure Services Board presented an engraved desk clock to Jerry Robinson for his
ten years of service on the Board. Rick Herold presented Mr. Robinson with a shirt and cap from
the Texas Star Golf Course and expressed his thanks to Mr. Robinson for all his work on the Park
Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman McNeese asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the
August 3, 1998 regular meeting. There being no changes Bruce Ebert made the motion to
approve the minutes as written and was seconded by Stacey Hollinger. The vote was unanimous.
Parks and Leisure Services Board
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October 5, 1998
OLD BUSINESS
I. Board Members' Reports
Mr. Miller stated both J.A. Carr Park and Kiddy Can Park looked great. Many seniors recently
have been using the walking trail.
Mr. Hollinger stated everything looks extremely well and the Athletic Complex has held up during
the recent rains.
Mrs. Byers mentioned both South Euless and Ruth Millican parks look good and are nice and
green.
Mr. Owens stated both Villages of Bear Creek Park and McCormick Park looked good.
Mrs. Waldrop stated Westpark is still inoperable due to all the street construction and Wilshire
Park has been torn up due to the surrounding construction of new offices.
Mr. Ebert stated he was not aware of any special events this past month.
Chairman McNeese stated Midway Park and the Recreation Center have both had a large amount
of users this past month.
NEW BUSINESS
I. Community Services Report
Rick Herold, Director of Community Services, stated the Community Services staff was present
tonight to make a short presentation to the Board on the past years activities.
Program Coordinator Heidi Hulin stated the attendance and enrollment of classes had tripled this
past year. She had been instrumental in"Girls Night Out", "Halloween Howl", `Breakfast with
Santa", Valentine Dance, as well as the preschool classes and graduations. She has been involved
in the preschoolers fund raisers, craft classes, overseeing the Arbor Daze Youth Stage and putting
together The Star brochure every three to four months.
Parks and Leisure Services Board
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October 5, 1998
Athletic Coordinator Andy Cedillo introduced "Hook-A-Kid On Golf'this past summer and due
to the tremendous participation will be expanding the program next summer. Other programs this
past year were Women's Annual Basketball League, Diamond Skills Baseball (a free program for
the youths) and the Summer Track Program.
Senior Citizen Coordinator Diane Eggers instructed a Water Aerobics program for 20 to 25
seniors this past summer and took the seniors to the Ranger Game. The seniors were also able to
take AARP driving classes, play weekly bridge at the Simmons Center. The center was also
remodeled and has new tables and chairs.
Youth Development Coordinator Tim O'Connell oversees Midway Recreation Center("The
Rec") stated the weight room and "The Rec"are used by many of the local citizens. He stated the
membership enrollment has increased over the last year. He introduced the Future Stars Summer
Program which consisted of 48 kids, ages 6-12 years old, which were taken on field trips, went to
the local parks and went swimming. He also introduced Teens In Action for kids between the
ages of 12 and 15, which exposed the younger population to job opportunities that are available
to them which consisted of helping at the summer musical and other upcoming events which were
held during the summer months. Tim is also instrumental in"Friday Night at The Rec"for young
adults (ages 11-15)to attend with games, movies, pizza, dance contests and a live DJ to play their
favorite requests.
Parks at Texas Star Manager Ray McDonald mentioned there had been lots of activity at the
athletic complex since it's opening in March. He stated he has worked closely with EAA(Euless
Athletic Association), BESA(Bedford-Euless Soccer Association and EGSA(Euless Girls
Softball Association). Hired a number of part-time employees with some from the Mossier Valley
area. The Parks hosted three boys baseball tournaments, Pony West tournament and the girls
softball tournament. The athletic complex has received numerous compliments on the facility.
Ray also thanked Johnnie Green and the Parks Department for all their help with the athletic
complex.
Community Services Financial Manager Janina Jewell stated she is working on policies and a
procedures manual for the Texas Star Golf Course and Conference Centre area. She hopes to
start working on a procedures manual for the other areas in the near future.
Director of Community Services Rick Herold stated the registration for EAA(Euless Athletic
Association) has been the highest ever. He has scheduled a retreat for the Community Services
staff for October 15-17 at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He further advised
the Board they will be receiving for their information a mid-month update from him.
Parks and Leisure Services Board
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October 5, 1998
Chairman McNeese thanked the staff for their very informative presentation to the Board.
IL Leisure Services Report
Julia Wakeley, Parks and Leisure Services Manager, stated the University of North Texas is still
wanting to do a one-day Park Board retreat at the City of Euless. The two choice dates are
Saturday, November 14th or Saturday, November 21st. Mrs. Wakeley will contact the Board a
little later to see which Saturday they have chosen for the retreat. She further mentioned Ruth
Millican had been remodeled and updated with a new kitchen and appliances. She also stated
some of the staff helped with the recent CPT (Collegiate Players Tour)tournament and it was a
great success again.
Mrs. Byers advised the Board she also helped with the CPT tournament and was really impressed
with the staff during the event.
III. Parks Report
Johnnie Green, Parks Superintendent, stated the Parks Department will be in the near future
replacing all wooden playground equipment. He also introduced the new Arborist Ralph Klein
and stated Ralph is in the process of pruning the trees at Midway Park and will later make the
other remaining parks.
Arborist Ralph Klein stated he was glad to be with the city and is looking forward to working
with Johnnie and the Parks Department staff.
IV. Business of the Tree Board
Eric Owens, Vice Chairman of the Tree Board, thanked and praised Jerry Robinson for all his
dedication and work for the last ten years on the Parks and Leisure Services Board and wished
him well on this retirement. Mr. Owens also welcomed Arborist Ralph Klein to the City. Mr.
Owens handed out the new draft Tree Ordinance and summary to all the Board Members and
staff. He further mentioned there was no Tree Report this month.
Parks and Leisure Services Board
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October 5, 1998
V. Other New Business
Jake Jacobson, Texas Thunder Soccer, was present requesting contract approval for the usage of
Bob Eden for practice fields from October 12, 1998, through February 26, 1999. They will use
the field four days a week(Monday through Thursday) from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m., except during
the Christmas break of December 21st to January 8th. Mr. Jacobson requested a field usage fee
of$64.00 a week.
Chairman McNeese asked Mr. Jacobson to coordinate the contract negotiations of the leased
fields with staff.
VI. Input from City Council Members and Visitors
Councilman Hogg stated the bond issue passed on Saturday, October 3rd and told the Board to
keep up the good work.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNeese gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the
meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
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