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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-03-07 REGULAR MEETING PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MARCH 7, 1988 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:00 P.M. , Monday, March 7, 1988, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ernest. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Bonnie O'Brien (alternate), Messrs. Ron Henson 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. Helen Lightbody. VISITORS Visitors attending the meeting were Mrs. Alice Ernest and Mayor Harold Samuels. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated February 1 were approved as written. PRESENTATION OF "TREE CITY USA" FLAG Mayor H. D. Samuels made the presentation for "Tree City USA" flag. Ron Henson accepted the award. This is the second year in a row that Euless has won this award. OLD BUSINESS Board Members' Reports: Leon Hogg reported on Community Buildings and stated that they are active and well maintained. Volunteers on Highway 10 reported 50 hours. Committee reported 69-1/2 hours. The 10K preparation has been 46 hours total by three - volunteers. Total for the year is 342-1/2 hours for a total savings of $1,712.50. Hours for the Gold Medal Awards will be added up later. This concluded his report. Chairman Ernest reported that he has been looking at McCormick Park for the past few months. He asked if the security lights were hooked-up and operating and it was reported that the lights are working but TU is putting in underground wiring to bring things up to Code. It was brought to the Board's Park and Recreation Board Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Two attention that the ditch running alongside of the sidewalk could have a potential danger and should be filled in. It was reported that the ditch will be filled in as soon as the project is completed. Chairman Ernest reported that he was at the Pavilion over the week-end and heard water running and found that the pressure line was torn loose on both sides going into the faucet. He further stated that overall the park was being well used and in good shape. Bonnie O'Brien reported that she visited Del Norte Park and that it really looks nice. Ron Henson reported that the only park he visited was Lakewood. He stated that it gets quite a bit of usage particularly on weekends. Helen Lightbody stated that Westpark was looking good. Tables had been added and the land has been leveled. Tree Board: Ron Henson reported on the Tree Board. In February, Rick's men have spent 114 hours on the tree projects. Based on $12.75 per hour, this comes to just over $1,430.00. Twelve new trees have been planted at Midway and three more at Del Norte for an additional cost of $600.00. Other tree planting and purchases total $215.00. Based on expenditures for February, costs are running around $9,500.00. It was reported that based on a monthly average of $5,000.00, we will spend $60,000.00 this year which will certify us again this year. This figure does not include watering. Rick reported that Ron's $600.00 figure should be changed to $2,908.00 for February. Ron acknowledged this to be correct and this concluded his report. The "Tree City USA" flag was unfolded for all to see. Everyone stated how beautiful it was. A place will be choosen for it's display (where it will fly). Gold Medal Award Contest Update: Julia Wakeley reported that Schrickel & Rollins had met twice with Mary Lib's Committee. Julia and Rick have met twice with Mr. Bass and Julia feels confident that he can do the written work for the Gold Medal Award. Another ` meeting with Bo Bass was scheduled for next Monday. The finished project should be ready for approval by April 4. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Three Chairman Ernest raised the question as to how long we had to get the film put together and Julia stated six weeks if we get into the finals. Rick says if we get into the finals, we've won. "Park Partners --- Pride Reducing Crime" Rick Herold reported that Park Partners will officially be introduced April 4 at next month's Council meeting. Park Partners is part of a whole new concept called Park and Recreation Partners. It will be a theme program to be used by both park and recreation activities. A short report on the vandalism portion will be available. NEW BUSINESS I. RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Julia Wakeley reported that in the gym this month there were 3,815 units; Simmons, 460; and Ruth Millican, 704. This brings a grand total of 4,979 participants. Mrs. Wakeley reported that she met with the Lions Club and the marketing firm that does advertising for Whataburger regarding the 10K run. She feels that they will sponsor us in the form of all the T-shirts; however, no confirmation has been made. Little Ladies Tea Party had thirty participants. Mrs. Wakeley reported that we had two film festivals; one on the first Saturday in February with 20 people in attendance, and one on March 5, with 25 in attendance. Softball sign-ups have started. Sign-up will go through March 19. March 14 will begin official softball season. Ten leagues are expecting 80 teams. We register both ASA and TAAF. Mrs. Wakeley met with Gayle Volke, person behind marketing the Gus & Goldie concept for swimming pools. She further stated that she has talked with Hurst - and Bedford in joining this program in order to get much more area publicity. March 17 is our Little Laddie's Shingdig and this is for boys only. Rick Herold has won the Alumni of the Year Award for Recreation Leisure Studies Mrs. Wakeley reported. Presentation will be made April 8. This concluded her report. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Four II. PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Park Director's report was made by Rick Herold. Mr. Herold ntroducing the wild flower program to the City. He has met with the wild flower people for the State of Texas. Six wild flowers have been choosen from the daisy family. These will be planted in the median up Midway and around Bear Creek Park. Donations of 85 gallon plastic drums will be embedded into the ground to replace steel drums. These should be good for special events. He reported further that we will not know until August about the Park Grant. Survey of past grants will be taken this month (March). A great many trees were moved to Midway. Mr. Herold viewed a computerized tree management program. All the trees in the area will be taken and put into the computer keeping track of the trees. He hopes there will be some funding for this program next year. S. Euless has had some final grading done. Over Spring Break, some work will be done at McCormick's creek. The Park Department has an incentive plan for "perfect attendance". The second incentive quarter has ended and Johnny Green, Cary Stevenson and Jerry Massey all won. This program is for a perfect attendance in the quarter and by getting to work by exactly 7:00 AM. This concluded his report. III. INPUT FROM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES This report was made by Jay Heilman. He reported that he sent a letter to all schools and PTA's regarding the removal of playground equipment because of liability. He further stated that he had met with Alice Ernest and Southwestern Bell's Mr. Terry regarding Southwestern Bell's $3,000 donation for a landscape beautification project. It is not known at this time what area this money will be spent on but there is a good chance that it will be used at Midway Park for a handicap facility in the park. Mr. Heilman further stated that he had received a call from Lone Star Gas wanting to help with a "landscape clean-up". Mr. Heilman reported that Rick Herold is developing a workshop where his people and some of the other surrounding cities' personnel can attend regarding landscape maintenance. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Five Mr. Heilman met with developers who are going to be doing some work around the American Airlines overpasses. The developer is looking to put a hotel in north of the freeway. They would be putting in decorative lighting and landscaping the medians. Julia Wakeley and Rick Herold have signed-up for ISD program for a work/study program during the school year for prospective employers to use students during the summer (11 weeks). This would mean additional labor at no cost and students would get meaningful work experience. This will be beneficial for both parties. It was reported that the Del Norte people have met with the City Council to get a better ideal of how Euless is promoting their city. The Del Norte people are pleased with Euless' efforts to beautify the city. Mr. Heilman has been in contact with the owner of property on Airport Circle which has a concrete slab that could possibly be used for outside basketball courts. The owner has offered to donate this property for City use. Jay will talk further with the owner and work with him on getting the area cleaned-up. There are also several acres that could be used for soccer fields or softballs fields. It was reported to the Board that Jennifer Rike was no longer with the department. It was stated that this position should be a priority in filling as Julia's staff is shorthanded. This concluded his report. IV. INPUT FROM BEAUTIFY EULESS EVERYDAY COMMITTEE This report was made by Alice Ernest. The school incentive program has grown from the litter problem at Midway Park Elementary. It is proposed that assignment of the campus to different grade levels for litter pick-up be made in the form of a contest. At the end of January a tree would be donated by the City to the class winning the litter pick--up contest. This program is existing at Midway Park and hope that the remaining five elementaries will be interested in the program. Alice reported that a booklet was prepared and given to Southwestern Bell outlining different areas of need for Southwestern's $3,000 donation. Yard of the Month will be initiated again this year. The Committee is thinking about initiating a Business Landscape Award on a regular and planned basis. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Six The schedules litter pick-up was called off because of snow and ice and it has been rescheduled for March 19 at 10:00 AM at the corner of 157 and Harwood. This concluded her report. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No input from City Council Members was noted at this meeting. VI. NEW RECREATION CENTER PROGRESS REPORT No additional input by staff regarding progress of new recreation center; however, Mayor Samuels reported that a contract had been awarded for the new facility. An Open House and Groundbreaking ceremony is being proposed for the project. VII. • INPUT FROM VISITORS No input was made. VIII. REASSIGNMENT OF AREA AND FACILITIES Reassignments of area and facilities were made by Chairman Ernest. They are as follows: McCormick and Bear Creek Park - Richard McNeese Midway and Blessing Branch - Mary Lib Westpark and Wilshire - Marland Ernest South Euless, Lakewood and Euless Junior High - Leon Hogg Community Building, Ruth Millican and Special Events - Helen Lightbody Carr Park, Kiddie Park and Oakwood Terrace - Bonnie O'Brien Van Reed, Del Norte and Grant Park - Ron Henson Chairman Ernest reported that the last time the Board met it was voted to sent a letter to the City Council to update the Park Recreation Master Plan. The letter that is to be sent to Mayor Samuels and Council waas read. Park and Recreation Minutes March 7, 1988 Page Seven Chairman Ernest read the letter he received from Mayor Samuels regarding selection of Volunteer or Volunteers of the Year for 1987. Names should be submitted by March 18. Candidates from Library Board, Social Concerns and Park and Recreation Board should be submitted. Larry Ingram and Linda Evans were submitted from Social Concerns Board. Alice Ernest was nominated as a Park and Recreation Board candidate as Volunteer of the Year. Thought should be given for additional candidates. It was suggested that since there are so many volunteers, maybe a Volunteer of the Month Award should be initiated. Chairman Ernest will accept any suggestions regarding this program. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM, with a closing prayer by Chairman Ernest. if/ tai man Ade /✓'P •'__ Attest