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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-02 REGULAR MEETING PARK AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD AUGUST 02, 1993 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Leisure Services Board was called to order at 7:00 PM, Monday August 02 1993 in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Hogg. Other members present were Mrs. Lynne Moffatt, Messrs. Stephen O'Brien, Richard McNeese, Jerry Robinson, Eric Owens, and Chuck Behrns. Also present were Rick Herold, Community Services Director; Julia Wakeley, Parks and Leisure Services Manager; and Ann Hajek, Recording Secretary. VISITORS Visitors included Councilmember Henry Boatright, Councilmember Charlie Miller, Parks Construction Foreman Johnnie Green and Elaine Green. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Jerry Robinson. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting dated July 19, 1993, were approved with a spelling correction on page 1 and a wording change on page 3. GUEST SPEAKER Parks Construction Foreman Johnnie Green gave a brief presentation on the importance of construction in parks. Johnnie pointed out various construction jobs his crew works on, i .e. signs upon entering Euless. His crew also works on special events, building scaffolding, stages, etc. . . . Leon said he would like to see some time studies on various aspects of Parks and Leisure Services. OLD BUSINESS I. BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS Chuck Behrns did not have a report. Eric Owens did not have a report on his assigned parks but inquired as to who is responsible for watering around the Fire Stations. Johnnie Green said it is the station's responsibility but the water truck will help them out. Eric asked about the non-resident fee for softball. This was discussed later in the meeting. Jerry Robinson said that his parks, J.A. Carr Park, Kiddie Carr Park, and Oakwood Terrace were dry but looked good. Jerry said the fence at J.A. Carr Park has been taken down. Rick said it will be replaced. The old one was becoming a safety hazard. Jerry commended the Parks Department for their hard work. Lynne Moffatt did not have a report. Richard McNeese said that there had not been any special events since the last meeting. Stephen O'Brien said that his areas are Lakewood and Bob Eden. A no golfing sign has been put up at Lakewood. Bob Eden park is fairly busy but it is dry. II. DISCUSSION OF THE OLD IRON BRIDGE There was nothing new to report on the Old Iron Bridge celebration. NEW BUSINESS I. LEISURE SERVICES REPORT Building use for the month of July was as follows: Midway Recreation Center meeting rooms: sports associations, 4; city, 1; rentals, 2; gym, 1; other, 3. Ruth Millican Center: sr. dances, 5; rentals, 1; bridge, 9; writers, 4; city, 2. Simmons Center: rental, 3. Villages of Bear Creek Pavilions, 10. Bob Eden Pavilion, 5. Recreation units for the month of July were as follows: racquetball, 196; gym, 5,612; track, 369; game & snack, 3,073; weightroom, 422. Midway, 9,672, RMC, 1,134, Simmons, 847. Julia said that South Euless and Wilshire Pools will close for the summer on August 15. Midway will be open after sch000l and on weekends until August 29. The pool will reopen for Labor Day weekend. Three sets of triplets are taking swim lessons at Wilshire Pool this session. They will be featured in a story on Channel 4 on the 10'o'clock news tonight. The next special event is the Fall Music Festival, September 23, 24, & 25. Concerning the non-resident fee for softball, Julia pointed out that 95% of the teams are non-residents. All other activities offered by the Leisure Services Department already charge a non-resident fee for participation. A resident, for softball, is considered someone who lives or works in Euless. Eric said he had heard quite a few complaints about this fee. He said that for company sponsored teams, this fee could add up. He added that perhaps it would be better to increase the team fee. Julia said this had been looked into, but would it be fair to charge residents more? Eric said that since softball is a team sport, fees should be charged as a team. Eric said most of his concerns were for company and church teams. Rick said all aspects have been looked at and considered. Rick briefly explained the cost per game analysis. Eric said he was not trying to be critical, he just wanted to understand the fee. Lynne asked if other cities charge a non-resident fee. Rick said that Hurst and Bedford do not charge non-resident fees for adult athletics. Hurst charges a non-resident fee of $7.50 for youth sports. II. PARKS REPORT Rick said COG will be letting the Allways Grant with only a 90-day window. He will have more on this next month. The department is still working with Schrickel & Rollins regarding a potential athletic field site. Bike racks for Villages of Bear Creek have been ordered. A position is open for Park Planner. It should be filled soon. This will allow the city to do some in-house park planning. The City Manager has made his budget recommendations. City Council should be going on budget retreat soon and we should be hearing something in 30 - 60 days. Rick commended the Parks and Leisure Services staff for their efforts to come in under budget for this fiscal year. Rick briefly discussed irrigation throughout the city. III. DISCUSSION OF WILSHIRE SURVEY Julia discussed the Wilshire Survey and some of the data and comments received. Rick said there were some complaints on various things. Councilman Boatright said he thought it was an excellent survey. Leon said it will be refined with percentages, etc. . . . The board can then send it to council . IV. BUSINESS OF THE TREE BOARD Randy Byers, Director of Economic Development and Public Works has requested that the board consider a proposed change to the Tree Ordinance which would change the responsibility of maintenance of street trees from the city to the resident. The National Arbor Day Foundation said this should not affect the Tree City status. Leon asked if the trim height needs to be changed also. Eric voiced concerns over the ordinance. Rick said the board could ask City Council for funding to contract these services. Jerry Robinson made a motion to ask the council to look at the current ordinance concerning trees in the city easement and make a decision on how to comply with this ordinance and if so what equipment and budget needs would be. Eric seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. A discussion was held on the Arbor Daze tree giveaway. The board discussed the option of only offering one type of tree versus offering several types. Rick said that no matter what the board decides, it is important to remain flexible on this subject. Leon made a motion to give only one type of tree away. Stephen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Year-to-date expenditures total $51,750.00. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Boatright asked if we loose a lot of trees during droughts. Rick said some will be lost. A lot of young trees are program trees which are given away to homeowners. Rick said the Bald Cypress' on Bear Creek Parkway are showing a lot of heat stress. Councilmember Boatright commended the Parks and Leisure Services staff on the job they're doing. VI. INPUT FROM VISITORS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 8:44 with a closing prayer by Chairman Hogg. if/_ Chairman 0.40 Attest