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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-04 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD MARCH 4, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m. on Monday, March 4 , 1996 in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Leon Hogg. Other board members present were: Stacey Hollinger, Richard McNeese, Eric Owens, Jerry Robinson and Alternates Bruce Ebert and Carl Miller. Staff members present were: Director of Community Service Rick Herold, Parks & Leisure Services Manager Julia Wakeley, Parks Superintendent Johnnie Green and Parks & Leisure Services Secretary Anicia Wiltshire. Visitors present were: Larry Baugham, Janene Boyle and Dan Gray, all from the Euless Girls Softball Association. INVOCATION Invocation was given by Jerry Robinson. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Hogg entertained a motion on the minutes from the February 5 , 1996 regular meeting. Mr. McNeese motioned that the minutes be approved, Mr. Owens seconded the motion and the motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Mr. McNeese reported that at the Athletic Complex an unbelievable amount of dirt had been moved, and it appears larger. He stated that now would be a good time to take a tour of it and that he was impressed with the progress. Mr. Green added that Public Works is already setting up for the water line and the parking lot is being cut for electrical lines. Chairman Hogg reported on Special Events. He stated that the Kick-Off party was last Saturday and that it had turned out better than hoped. He was told over $10,000.00 was made, it was very well attended and was a great success. Mr. Owens reported that J.A. Carr and Kiddie Carr parks were looking very wintery, waiting for spring and water. He stated that the gazebo looked good. Mr. Robinson reported that both McCormick and Villages of Bear Creek parks looked good. Mr. Hollinger reported that Bob Eden and Trailwood parks looked good. He stated he was amazed at the use of the trail at Bob Eden. He stated that the concrete sidewalk is washed off and asked if there was any way to fence it in? Mr. Green stated that they had fenced it, but the fencing keeps getting torn down. He PALS Board Mtg. 030496 page 2 stated it is a dangerous situation. Because of this danger, Mr. Robinson motioned that a recommendation be made to the City Council to take action, through Engineering and Maintenance, to address the situation of the Bear Creek Trail at Bob Eden Park as a safety issue. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hollinger and the motion carried. There had been a change in park assignments so that Mr. Miller would cover South Euless and Ruth Millican parks, and Mrs. Waldrup would cover Midway and Blessing Branch parks. Mr. Miller reported that South Euless looks fine. He stated that there is very little lighting after dark and that there is broken glass and bottles in the area, but that otherwise, the upkeep has been good. NEW BUSINESS I. PARKS REPORT Mr. Herold reported that Softball World was acquired by the City. It contains four fields, a pro-shop, concessions and office space. The City has hired Rick Lyle as the manager and two other staff members. Maintenance will be done by the Parks Department. The people that have been doing the infield make ready will be kept on. Facility Maintenance will take care of the rest rooms. Softball World will still operate as a commercial entity, it was purchased through $1.7 million in revenue bonds. The new superintendent of the Texas Star Golf Course is Jon Snider. In reference to the Parks at Texas Star, Mr. Herold stated that Schrickel & Rollins sent into the State today for licensing. April 7th is the deadline goal for the rest of Phase I. There are seven 40 hour a week positions available in the Parks Department. Mr. Green stated that they were trying to tap into the area high schools and colleges. Mr. Herold went on to report that Winn Dixie has committed to a $200,000.00 advertising package, including television trailers, radio and newspaper ads. The tree planting held on February 10 was very successful, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The Odyssey Group has taken over what used to be the Church on the Move, and has been very helpful with the Arbor Daze. In reference to Softball World, Mr. Herold stated that they had looked at 9 years worth of numbers, at which time there were several outside companies involved, and the numbers showed, with changes in operation costs through municipal discounts, a high probability of profit. Beer will still be served because it is such a major part of operations, and on April 30 the liquor license will be renewed. In reference to the tree planting, Mr. Miller stated that the parks staff were very professional and they were instrumental in helping the event run smoothly. PALS Board Mtg. 030496 page 3 Mr. Herold stated that Scott Murray wished to incorporate a Scott Murray Foundation at the Parks at Texas Star. II. LEISURE SERVICES REPORT Mrs. Wakeley stated that she was very impressed with Rick Lyle, the manager of Softball World. She stated that the difference between Softball World and other commercial operations of the like, is that Softball World plays under the guidelines of USSSA, therefore, all tournament teams would have no problem qualifying for TAAF. Mrs. Wakeley reported that Saturday's event was fun. She stated that Mr. Herold had acquired the help of some of the employees in administration and that they helped to make it very organized. Almost $12,000 .00 was taken in. She also stated that in the last two weeks before the auction, donations suddenly picked up. Last week the senior citizens helped celebrate Mattie Rolen's 21st birthday. She is actually 84 , but was born in a leap year. In reference to Arbor Daze, Mrs. Wakeley reported that Odyssey has been most gracious in providing rooms for the entertainers and use of their fenced property for the main stage. A. Bob Eden Memorial Mr. Hogg referred to the new plans for the Bob Eden Memorial that Mr. Green passed out. There would be a split rail fence, wider flower bed and mature Crepe Myrtles. Mr. Green stated that they will also refurbish the big sign on the hill . Mr. Owens made a motion to accept the plans for Bob Eden Memorial. Mr. McNeese seconded the motion and the motion carried. B. Gym Floor Mr. Herold stated that staff was still working on getting all the information possible on available types and prices of flooring and preparing a list of options for a later discussion. C. Racquetball Fees Mr. Herold recommended a $25. 00 quarterly fee for unlimited use of the racquetball courts. Mrs. Wakeley advised that the average usage was going up. Discussion was tabled for the next meeting. IV. BUSINESS OF THE TREE BOARD Mr. McNeese reported that, to date, the 1+1=2 total is 30,230. He stated that he was unable to attend the tree planting, but he had heard from several people that it was a great success. In reference to Arbor Daze, Mr. McNeese stated that only two kinds of trees will be given away this year, the Chinese Pistache and the Red Oak. He also mentioned that Winn Dixie wants to take PALS Board Mtg. 030496 page 4 a picture of each person getting a tree this year, and suggested that someone should contact them and let them know that last year over 10 , 000 trees were given away. VI. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND VISITORS Mr. Baugham gave congratulations on the acquisition of Softball World and stated that this would give greater possibility of a Girls World Tournament. Mr. Baugham expressed apologies on behalf of EGSA for recently building a new concession stand at Westpark with out permission from the Board. He stated that they had received permission last year to do this, but that the builder did not have the opportunity to do so. This year the builder had it done before anyone could get a chance to ask the Board. Chairman Hogg asked if staff had any problems with the new structure and they did not. Mr. Herold stated that it looked good, he was just worried that another organization had usurped EGSA's location without permission. Mr. Gray stated that EGSA is planning four invitational tournaments and that their league has over 600 kids involved and the number is growing. He also made mention that the association might have an exhibition game with the King and His Court players. Mr. Gray expressed his thanks for the Leisure Staff helping with their clinic last Saturday. V. OTHER BUSINESS Mrs. Wakeley presented the entries for the Arbor Daze Poster Contest. There were seven entries and the winner was Deanna Designs. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Hogg gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. . Chairman / Attest