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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-04 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD November 4, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 1996 in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Richard McNeese. Other board members present were: Glendora Waldrup, Jerry Robinson, Stacey Hollinger, and Bruce Ebert. Staff members present were: Community Services Director Rick Herold, Parks and Leisure Services Manager Julia Wakeley, Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green and Parks and Leisure Services Secretary Anicia Wiltshire. Visitors present were Councilman Leon Hogg, Councilman Charlie Miller, Gregg Garcia of the Bedford-Euless Soccer Association, Mike Daniel of the Euless Athletic Association, Parks Department employees: Michael Tusa, Brian H. McGarry and Steven Junkin, and resident Boyce Byers. INVOCATION Invocation was given by Stacey Hollinger. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman McNeese entertained a motion on the minutes from the October 7, 1996 regular meeting. Mr. Robinson motioned that the minutes be approved with corrections, Mrs. Waldrup seconded the motion and the motion carried. AWARDS PRESENTATION Mr. Robinson presented the "Raving Fan Employee" of the month to Brian McGarry, Michael Tusa and Steven Junkin. Mr. Herold stated that the award is in recognition for an employee's outstanding performance on the job and thanked the honorees for their dedication, hard work and enthusiasm. OLD BUSINESS - Board Members Reports Chairman McNeese announced Mr. Ebert has been appointed to the Board and that Mrs. Boyce Byers has been appointed as a new alternate by the City Council. Mr. Hollinger reported Bob Eden park looked exceptional and that the field was in good shape. He also stated Trailwood looked great and was anticipating the new playground unit. Mr. Robinson mentioned kids from Trailwood are asking when the new playground unit would be completed. Mr. Green stated work on the playground unit will be completed as soon as possible. He stated that delays were caused by the rain. He also stated that two parks employees were in Kansas City becoming certified playground inspectors. Mr. Robinson reported that ,.. PALS Board Mtg. 110496 page 2 Villages and McCormick parks looked good. He stated the erosion of the creek banks are still an issue. Mrs. Waldrup reported Blessing Branch and Midway parks looked good. She stated the rain had provided needed moisture and she saw no debris. Mr. Ebert reported on Wilshire and Westpark. He stated that he saw nothing unusual going on at night but that the lack of lighting was cause for concern at both parks. He reported the tennis courts need to be resurfaced and the pool needs to be redone. He stated half of the lights at the tennis courts were out and that Wilshire park saw little activity because of the closing of the pool. He reported both parks looked good. Chairman McNeese reported the Athletic Complex underground work is well underway. Mr. Green reported work was being done on the underground plumbing. NEW BUSINESS I. PARRS REPORT Mr. Herold congratulated the men who received the "Raving Fan" award and described their histories with the department. Mr. Herold reported on the end of the year 1/2 Penny projects priorities for the grant application for funding of Phase 2 and described staff's intent to further the Ice T Trail plan to tie Hwy 157 to Hwy 360. Mr. Herold reported Softball World's Mixed World Series to be the largest tournament ever in the United States Slowpitch Softball Association. He stated $7,700.00 was made in concessions on Saturday and that this was an all time record in sales. He stated that all of the t-shirts had been sold and that there were a many on back-order. He stated that the tournament was a success and that Rick Lyle was now working on bids for other tournaments. Mr. Herold reported that the City was going to receive an award for Best Ongoing Program for Arbor Daze from the National Recreation and Parks Association at the Region V & VI convention being held in Tyler this Friday. Mr. Herold passed out the latest Texas Star brochure and discussed the ongoing excitement on nearing the completion of the golf course. Mr. Herold passed out the latest listing of 1/2 Penny expenditures priorities and explained that, after Park Board recommendations, the Council and 1/2 Penny Economic Development Foundation would approve or suggest final priorities. He addressed each item on the list, citing reasons for its placement. He stated that the following had been approved: $50,000 for Wilshire and South Euless pools, senior citizens budget for programs and facility updates, South Euless basketball court, South Euless parking and security renovation. He went on to answer questions from board members on the changes from the PALS Board Mtg. 110496 page 3 last list. There was discussion on the Midway pool being updated into a leisure type and a year-round facility. II. LEISURE SERVICES REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported the Mixed World Series at Softball World was a success. She stated Bobby Bragan of the Texas Rangers Public Relations Program, threw the first ball out. She stated that 165 teams from 34 states were represented and that the defending champions out of Georgia won. Mrs. Wakeley reported that Halloween at Midway Park saw 150 people in attendance and that next year there are plans to return to the haunted house theme. She stated that the Austin Lounge Lizards played to a full house at the Ruth Millican Center last Friday night and that the senior citizens' Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 21. Mrs. Wakeley reported that there has been a reduction in staff, William Rumuly has gone to part time, so the department is looking for an Activities Programmer and an Athletic Programmer. Mrs. Wakeley stated that on Thursday evening, November 14 there will be a Board sponsored Staff Appreciation Dinner at North Main Barbecue. Mrs. Wakeley stated that the Christmas Parade of Lights is scheduled for Saturday, December 14. Mr. Herold stated that next week the Arbor Daze Committee will have their first meeting for 1997's festival. He stated this year's entertainment included The Tokens, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Temptations, Freddie "Boom-Boom" Cannon, The Shirelles, and Bobby Vee. III. BUSINESS OF THE TREE BOARD Chairman McNeese reported that the 1+1=2 total comes to 41,918 trees planted. He stated that staff gathered 1000 Red Oak Acorns to be grown for future Arbor Daze events. He also stated that this will be the 11th year the City strives to maintain its status as a Tree City USA and that year to date in kind expenditures come to $84,555.00. There was discussion on the definition of the dollar amounts from Tree City USA. IV. OTHER NEW BUSINESS A. Bedford-Euless Soccer Association Mr. Garcia, Tournament Director for the Texas Thunder 4 on 4, requested permission to use Bear Creek Park fields for this year's tournament. He stated that, like last year, there would be North Texas Association of Soccer teams from all over north Texas participating, at least 300 participants in 150 matches in two days. Chairman McNeese -- PALS Board Mtg. 110496 page 4 entertained a motion on this matter and Mr. Robinson motioned that Mr. Garcia be allowed to work with staff to schedule and coordinate the tournament. Mr. Hollinger seconded the motion and the motion carried. B. Discussion on feasibiltiy of walking/jogging trail at South Euless Park was covered by Mr. Herold during his report on 1/2 Penny Projects. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND VISITORS Mr. Daniels of EAA described the success of their instructional baseball league that ended last week. Councilman Miller stated he came to visit and congratulated Mr. Ebert and Mrs. Byers on their appointments. He discussed the sales tax break-even point being $300,000,000.00 for all projects within the City. He also stated that Parks Staff did a great job during the Softball World tournament and the Library Gala which were on the same day. Councilman Hogg stated that the Boards and Commissions dinner was the night of November 11 and reiterated that a great job had been done at Softball World and the Library during the special events. He stated that he heard nothing but good comments from the players, both from people who lived in the area and out-of-towners. ADJOURNMENT Chairman McNeese gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. . • airma Attest