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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-04 REGULAR MEETING PARK AND RECREATION BOARD April 4, 1988 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:00 P.M. , Monday, April 4, 1988, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ernest. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, Mrs. Bonnie O'Brien (alternate), Messrs. Ron Henson, Richard McNeese and Leon Hogg. Also present were Julia Wakeley, Recreation Director; Rick Herold, Park Director; Jay Heilman, Director of Community Services; and Diretha Crockett, recording secretary. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh. VISITORS Visitors attending the meeting were Mrs. Alice Ernest and Cindy Howell and Mary Smith of Girls Softball. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated March 7 were revised as follows: On Page Three, "Park Partner --- Pride Reducing Crime" the word "Council" should be changed to "Board". On Page Six, "Reassignment of Area and Facilities" the words "Van Reed" should read "Van Riet". The minutes were approved as amended. OLD BUSINESS Board Members' Reports: Ron Henson reported on the Van Reit and Del Norte facilities. Mr. Henson repooted how nice the new entrances with the beautiful flowerbeds looked. Mr. Henson further stated that the parks were being well used. This concluded his report. Mary Lib Saleh reported on Midway and Blessing Branch facilities. Mrs. Saleh reported on the progress of earthmoving in Midway Park where the new Rec building is being built. She reported that the park was clean and a lot of people were in the parks in both Blessing Branch and Midway. Mrs. Saleh stated how nice the new picnic tables, fencing and replanted trees looked. This was the end of her report. Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 4, 1988 Page Two Chairman Ernest reported on Westpark and Wilshire. He reported that no one was in the parks the day he drove by; however, the parks were in excellent shape. Chairman Ernest inquired about the north boundary of Westpark. Mr. Herold stated that there was not distinguishable boundary line but he knows that it is big enough to put a 300 foot ballfield north of the creek. Richard McNeese reported on Bear Creek and stated that there was something going on several times that he was by there. He did not get by McCormick Park so no report is available for this park. Mr. McNeese reported that he was by South Euless Park and that it looks as good as it ever has since he has lived in that area. The only problem he sees in the park is abundant glass breakage. He reported that the creek was cleaned up, trimmed and extremely nice. This concluded his report. Helen Lightbody reported that she did not really see what was going on in the Community Building during March but she did see the Easter Egg Hunt. Leon Hogg reported that Highway 10 had a total of 52 volunteer hours. The BEE Committee had 283 hours reported. The Gold Medal Committee had 26 hours reported to date. The Easter Egg Hunt had four volunteers at two hours each for 8 total hours. Total to-date in dollar savings is $3,557.50. This is just about what it ran last year. This concluded his report. Bonnie O'Brien reported on Carr Park and verified with Rick Herold that the old exercise bars were going to be removed. She stated how pretty and green everything was at this time of the year. Tree Board: Ron Henson reported on the updated expenses through March. Man hours spent on tree projects during March is 225 hours, for the year it is 682. Based on $12.75/hr. the manhour costs is $2,800 spent for March and $8,619 for the year. Rich Herold planted 40 trees during March at Bear Creek, Midway, Harwood Road and Tibbetts for a total of $2,130 and for the year it is $5,648. 27,800 gallons of water was used for watering. Expenditures for the year-to-date is $ 14,485.00. Ron stated that at this rate we will well exceed our amount needed to be recertified ($1.00 per capita). Gold Medal Award Contest Update: Mary Lib Saleh reported that the Gold Medal Award Committee had been meeting regularly and everything had been gone over, proofed and edited and the report is complete. All Board Members have been given a copy for their review. The Gold Medal report was approved as written by the Board. Julia Wakeley stated that the deadline for the entry was April 11 and that our entry would be Air Expressed before that date. Julia Wakeley introduced Bill Forester (our Gold Medal sponsor) and Bo Bass (writer) to the Board. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Three "Park Partners --- Pride Reducing Crime" Rick Herold and Julia Wakeley reported on Park Partners. Rick Herold read a introduction written by he and Mrs. Wakeley regarding this program concept. Shirts and caps were distributed to the Board members to kick-off this program. NEW BUSINESS I. RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Julia Wakeley reported that in the gym this month there were 3,858 units; Simmons, 400; and Ruth Millican, 634. Attendance will historically drop off due to outdoor sports. Mrs. Wakeley reported that we have 81 softball teams. Janet Hines has come in again this year to do income tax, free of charge, for the senior citizens. She will work until April 15. There has been approximately 30 seniors to counsel with Janet. Seniors had 25 to attend lunch at Furr's this month. Ms. Wakeley further reported that the Seniors had their birthday cake, blood pressure checked and a St. Paddy's celebration. There has been three workshops at Simmons. Eight times this month the baseball boys have used the building. The Bear Creek Pavilion was used three times this month and the gazebo at Simmons is now beginning to be used. The Ultra Golf Tournament will have about 120 teams. There will be food, prizes and lots of fun. The deadline for entry is April 14. Still meeting weekly with the Lions Club for the 10K. Whataburger is definately going to furnish the t-shirts. Corporate sponsors are still being sought for the 10K. Volunteers are needed for this event. Some of the "Gus and Goldie" information is in. Ms. Wakeley stated that Gus and Goldie is a marketing concept to encourage young swimmers. However, it will not change the criteria that swimming is presently taught. The Easter Egg Hunt location was changed this year. Between 1500 and 1700 Easter eggs were put out. Approximately 350 children participated. This concluded Mrs. Wakeley's report. Park and Recreation Minutes April 4, 1988 Page Four II. PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Park Director's report was made by Rick Herold. Rick reported that next year is the 100th Anniversary for the bridge in South Euless Park. Mr. Herold reported that Mr. Heilman supplied the parks department with students that cleaned the Western Branch Creek. All of the new trees that were scheduled to be demolished in Midway Park for construction were replanted in Midway Park. Mr. Herold reported that the new picnic tables seen in some of the parks were the old picnic tables that were redone at a minimal cost. He further stated that the State will be out this week to review the Villages of Bear Creek project for a possible grant. Rick Herold reported that the wild flower project is completed, however two of the signs were stolen the first day. Mr. Herold reported that all of the mowing projects will be starting soon. Softball has kicked off and alot of activity going on. A temporary fence was placed around Field #4 to hopefully keep people out of ditch area. This concluded the Park Director's report. III. INPUT FROM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Mr. Jay Heilman reported that he met with Schrickel & Rollins regarding an "action package" that will give us a 3-year directive of immediate needs. This will be incorporated into the Master Plan. Their report should be completed within 60 days. Mr. Heilman reported that Julia Wakeley had added another part-time person that will do publicity, press releases and special events. This will help with media contact. IV. INPUT FROM BEAUTIFY EULESS EVERYDAY COMMITTEE Alice Ernest made this report. Mrs. Ernest informed the Board of an upcoming event, "Great Texas Trash-Off". She would like to expand on this date to work with the City employees and volunteers to pick up all of Euless and not just Highway 10. Park and Recreation Minutes April 4, 1988 Page Five Chairman Ernest suggested that the Parks & Recreation Board make a request to the Mayor's office to issue a Proclamation declaring April 23 as "Great Euless Trash-Off" in conjunction with "Great Texas Trash-Off". A motion was made and carried to make this request to the Mayor's office. Judging for "Yard of the Month" will be done at the end of this month for April. Letters were mailed out to past participants. Past winners will not be eligible this year but will be eligible next year. Mrs. Ernest reported that relationships with the schools is continuing to grow. Letters have been written to businesses to encourage them to participate in the BEE program. Sparkle Week has increased to a month instead of a week. Citizens are becoming more aware. Helen Lightbody stated that numerous people were confused as to when their day for pick-up was scheduled. Notification has not been sufficient or timely. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No input from City Council Members was noted at this meeting. VI. NEW RECREATION CENTER PROGRESS REPORT Julia Wakeley informed the Board of a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Park & Recreation Center to be held Tuesday, April 12 at 5:00 PM in Midway Park. VII. INPUT FROM VISITORS Cindy Howell raised a question about the negativity of children skateboarding in the parks. Chairman Ernest stated that it was his understanding the concern has been the skateboard injuries in that ditch. Mrs. Howell's suggested that this sport is really popular now and maybe a safety workshop would be beneficial. Chairman Ernest said he would look into the merits of this. Helen Lightbody stated that the City's liability for this sport is the question and the concrete ditch is not a legitimate skateboard facility. Park and Recreation Minutes April 4, 1988 Page Six Mary Smith, President of Girls Softball Association, stated that she had approached Rick Herold about getting speedbumps put in Westpark. The main concern is small children in the park. Rick Herold said that this project should be completed soon with signage regarding speedbumps. It was suggested by Leon Hogg that a Volunteer of the Month from the Parks & Recreation Department be chosen monthly in order to have candidates for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Chairman Ernest thought this would be very good idea. A motion was made and carried to select a Volunteer/Volunteers for the Month with an award to be made at the monthly Board meetings. The first award will be announced at the June Board meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM, with a closing prayer by Chairman Ernest. lr Cha rman Attes