Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-06 REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD NOVEMBER 6, 1995 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7: 00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 1995, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Leon Hogg. Other board members present were Richard McNeese, Chuck Behrns, Eric Owens, and Jerry Robinson. Staff members present were: Director of Community Services Rick Herold, Parks and Leisure Services Manager Julia Wakeley and Parks and Leisure Services Secretary Anicia Wiltshire. Visitors present were: David Frey and Wes Scott of the Wilshire Homeowners Association and Frank Riley of the Euless Girls Softball Association. INVOCATION Invocation was given by Mr. McNeese. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Hogg entertained a motion on the minutes from the October 2, 1995 regular meeting. He stated that he noted only one change that needed to be made. Mr. Robinson motioned that the minutes be approved with the change, Mr. McNeese seconded the motion and the motion carried. OLD BUSINESS I. BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS Mr. Robinson reported that Blessing Branch Park still had no grass where it was needed. In reference to Midway Park, he asked about the use of the fields for baseball practices. Mr. Herold made clarifications on policies of rain and wet fields. Mr. Owens reported that he had seen J.A. Carr Park and Kiddie Carr Park earlier in the month and that they had looked good. He added that the site for the new athletic complex looked good. Chairman Hogg reported on Saturday's ground breaking for the new athletic complex and golf course. He stated that there was a good turnout and everyone seemed to have fun. He also stated that he had seen a large crowd that evening at the Ruth Millican Center and it seemed that the Senior Dance attendance was growing. Mr. McNeese stated that he had been at McCormick and Villages of Bear Creek parks earlier in the month and they had looked fine. PALS Board Mtg. 110695 page 2 Mr. Behrns had no report but stated that he wanted to express appreciation to staff for an excellent job on the Groundbreaking. NEW BUSINESS I. PARKS REPORT Mr. Herold thanked the board members for attending the Groundbreaking and mentioned that there was a good write up on the front page of the Star Telegram. He gave the following update on the athletic complex and golf course: -Keith Foster will be here every two weeks. -Athletic complex infrastructure package is about thirty days from engineering staff getting bids. -State officials will be out Thursday to do a site evaluation. -The Mosier Valley Trail was thrown out of the grant, but will still be built. -Grant board wants to see an exact anticipated cost of the score board. Mr. Herold stated that Mr. Green recently over seeded all parks. II. LEISURE SERVICES REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the Halloween carnival went well and that about 350 children and their families attended. She stated that John Moore was the clown and did a magic show, Meredith McMannis read ghost stories and that staff did a great job in running the event. Mrs. Wakeley reported that the senior citizens were keeping busy, pointed out their calendar and stated that another day had been added for driving citizens to and from lunch and dominoes. She stated that last Friday they went to Canton and last month went to the State Fair. She also mentioned that invitations went out for the Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Dinner. Mrs. Wakeley reported that the Mayor was going to be the Grand Marshall of the Parade of Lights, December 2, and that several applications and calls had been received. Mr. Herold expressed appreciation to the churches and preschools for participating in the Halloween carnival. He also mentioned that over 500 hotdogs were given away at the groundbreaking. III. BUSINESS OF THE TREE BOARD Mr. McNeese reported the following: PALS Board Mtg. 110695 page 3 -By the next meeting, staff should have Tree Ordinance recommendations. -14 cities attended the Tree City U.S.A. tour. -Staff is working on the year end report. -In January the Euless third graders will be given "How to Plant Trees" Kits. -In March, Arbor Daze will kick off with a fund raising silent auction. -Arbor Daze '96 plans to see 7500 - 10,000 trees given away. -Headliners for Arbor Daze will be The Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, The Drifters and Chubby Checker. IV. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS There were no council members present. VI. INPUT FROM VISITORS Mr. Scott, president of the Wilshire Homeowners Association, stated that he was interested in working with the Park Board in matters of improving Westpark and Wilshire Parks. He described current and planned actions by his association in surveying homeowners about their assessment of the neighborhood parks and how they could be improved. Mr. Frey reiterated Mr. Scott's goals as his and described responses to the survey already received by various people. Chairman Hogg gave a brief history on Westpark Park explaining its frequent use for girls' and women's softball. He stated that the survey was a good idea and had been used in the past in the to get input from the entire city. There was then discussion on the use of certain monies for park development. Mr. Herold described long term plans to develop Wilshire and Westpark and, along with Chairman Hogg, assured that the city would work in conjunction with the neighborhood associations to improve their parks. He also stated that the timing was great, with the new complex being built, to focus on returning the parks to the neighborhoods. Mr. Riley thanked the board and staff for helping EGSA's Fall Ball to be successful. The girls found it a productive eight week instructional period. He stated that without the use of the Westpark fields, EGSA would not have the opportunities that it has had in bringing over 300 girls from the area in to play softball and stated that their numbers were growing. PALS Board Mtg. 110695 page 4 Chairman Hogg stated he had heard many good reports from various citizens commending the efforts of the instructional league. After further discussion on the benefits of the new athletic complex in relation to neighborhood parks and local athletic organizaitons, Mr. Herold restated that the golf course would be paid for by revenue bonds, while the athletic complex was being paid for by the 1/2 cent sales tax. Following more discussion on the athletic complex time line, Mr. Robinson clarified further that the golf course would have user fees, so the golfers would be paying for the golf course. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Hogg gave the benediction. There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 15 p.m. . Chairman /1 Attest