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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-01 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Board February 1, 1988 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , Monday, February 1, 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 Leon Hogg. VISITORS Visitors attending the meeting were Mrs. Alice Ernest, and members of the Euless Athletic Association: Lucy Schumann, Annette Ibarra, Sonny Gonzalez, Larry Foster and Bill Kirkley. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated January 4 , 1988 , were approved as written. OLD BUSINESS BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS OBJECTIVE UPDATE - AREA AND FACILITY Mr. Ron Henson, liaison for Lakewood Elementary, South Euless and Euless Jr. High, reported that there continues to be community usage at Lakewood Elementary. He mentioned that all the parks are in satisfactory condition. At this time Chairman Ernest distributed for observation, a copy of an agreement between the City of Euless and the HEB Independent School District. Chairman Ernest stated that they had an excellent work session on the 23rd of January. He wanted to thank the staff, who gave of their time and put together such a rewarding presentation. Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, liaison for Wilshire and Westpark, reported that there had not been any activity at Wilshire Park. She mentioned that she frequently drives by Del Norte Park in her travel, and noted what a beautiful park, with the grass growing, but never any activity. She feels it is due to the season, where the weather has a great deal to do with it: Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, February 1 , 1988 , Page 2 She passed Lakewood School during the week and noted the activity of joggers and walkers on the sidewalk around the school. The sidewalk encourages the residents to walk. She commented on the need for a sidewalk around Wilshire School. Mrs . Saleh stated how interesting West Park is , and what a tremendous job Rick Herold and the Park Department employees have done. She further stated that she has been in a lot of different parks, but never in one that had a sign which read, NO GOLF BALLS. Mr. Marland Ernest, liaison for McCormick Park and Blessing Branch, reported that from his observation, while driving by the parks, he had not seen anything out of the ordinary. Mrs. Helen Lightbody, liaison for Wilshire Elememtary School, Blessing Branch, and Midway Park, reported that the shrubs planted at Wilshire Elementary (sponsored by PTA) is quite an improvement cosmetic wise. She stated that there is a lot of activity at Midway Park, but very little activity at Blessing Branch. Mr. Leon Hogg, liaison for Community Center and Civic Center, reported that they are both active and well maintained. Mr. Leon Hogg reported that since the beginning of the Volunteer Program in March of 1985 through December of 1987, there is a total of 7 , 339 volunteer hours, at a savings to the city of $29 , 356 . 00 . The total hours for January 1988 are as follows: Highway 10 , 49 hours; BEE, 128 hours; a total of 177 hours at $5. 00 per hour, a savings of $885 . 00 . Mrs . Bonnie O' Brien, liaison for Del Norte Park and Van Riet Park, mentioned how nice it would look if they were to weave slats through the chain link fence at Del Norte Park. She has not had a chance to visit the Van Riet Park. Chairman Ernest announced that the objectives will be rotated next month, for the April reports. TREE BOARD Mr. Ron Henson reported that he has received the certification for Euless being Tree City. He also received a plaque and a flag. GOLD MEDAL AWARD CONTEST UPDATE Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh reported that we have passed the first step for entering the Gold Medal Award Contest, being approved by the Contest Committee. The second step is eleven questions to be answered and sent in by April 11 , 1988 . She mentioned that she is encouraging everyone to take pictures or slides of everything we do in the city of Euless, that has to do with parks and recreation. The next meeting is February 10 , 1988 , 2 : 00 P.M. , at the Simmons Center. She asked all the board menbers to attend, who had the time. Their input, concerning the city of Euless ( over the last 5 years) , is greatly needed. We have also ordered a video tape of the winners from this past years contest. They have done some outstanding work, and we will be able to view that particular tape. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, February 1 , 1988 , Page 3 Mrs . Mary Lib Saleh asked if it was feasible, could we have a spot on the agenda for April 4 , 1988 . She would like to have copies of our entry for all the members to view, before we mail it in. "PARK PARTNERS --- PRIDE REDUCING CRIME" Mr. Rick Herold reported that they are still doing inhouse work, concerning the Park Partners Program. Texas Power and Light have replaced the lights at Bear Creek parking lot. NEW BUSINESS I . PARK DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Rick Herold clarified an article which appeared in one of the newspapers, concerning the Park Grant. He stated that it will be August before we receive the results of the Park Grant. Mr. Rick Herold reported that two men from the Park Department (Jerry Massey and Cary Stevenson) are attending a series of 10 weeks (2 hours on Wednesday) , supervisor training sessions. Also, Jimmy Beck and John Ledbetter are attending Turf and Landscape school , for eight weeks, on Tuesdays, at Texas A & M. The Park Department had a safety meeting on tractor safety, and will continue having monthly meetings. At West Park, all the lower area has been cleaned put, guard posts put up, seeded the area and put up 2 grills and 2 picnic tables . Now when you approach the park, hopefully, it has a much better appearance. When you enter the park by field number 1, they have the split rail fence and opened up the playground, brought in top soil, and now have a warm up area for girls softball and a picnic area. There will be a NO PARKING FIRE LANE on the ballfield side, down the fence line. Also some concrete bumpers in the parking lot. Getting ready for the sports season, all the fields at Bear Creek and Midway have been reclayed and we are in the process of filling all the holes in the field. The grass is being cut an inch and a half. At Van Riet Park, there is a rose garden being built by the entrance sign. At Bear Creek , thanks to Public Works, a guard rail has been put up around the old park entrance. We have been pruning trees throughout the parks . At Del Norte Park, 12 Bradford Pear trees have been planted. We are trying an experiment with wildflowers in some of the medians (that are currently undeveloped) , at the Villages of Bear Creek. Mr. Herold reported that they are still doing inhouse work concerning the Park Partners Program. Texas Power and Light have replaced the lights at the Bear Creek parking lot. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, February 1 , 1988 , Page 4 Mrs. Helen Lightbody commented on how fortunate we are to have some one like Rick Herold, who will take the initiative and pursue an interest. II . RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Julia Wakeley reported that the overall attendance at the rec- reational centers was 4 , 776 (Ruth Millican Center - 704 ; Simmons - 460; Gym - 3 , 612) . Of that figure, 1 , 124 were in structured classes. The Senior Citizens enjoyed a Safety Belt Program presented by the Department of Health. They also had lunch at Furr' s Cafeteria. Our local Fire Department has offered to come in and do a Fire Prevention Program for the seniors. The family and friends of one of the seniors, Minnie Boaz , helped her celebrate her 85th birthday with a party , at the Simmons building. The rentals at our building are: 2 private parties; 2 workshops; 4 umpire meetings; 1 square dance at the gym; 1 election; and Bedford - Euless Soccer registration. January 30, 1988 , concluded our 2nd Flag Football League for the season. Our Softball registration started today, February 1 - March 10 , with 8 teams signing up today. We are expecting 75-80 teams to be competing this year. We had a meeting January 20, 1988 , with Charlie Miller and Dick Hight, of the Lions Club, concerning our Lions Pride 10K Run, on Memorial Day. In our recreation program, we offered 28 classes. Out of that, 26 made, which was 86% . We will also have 12 workshops and Special Events which includes, Little Ladies Tea Party and the 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Trinity High School Troy Ann Drill Team Booster Club, requested the gym for February 27 , 1988 , for bingo. The Great Limo Race was a big success, (which was one of Peter Krause ' first projects) with 3 limousines and 18 participants. Mrs. Wakeley stated that the Park and Recreation Board had requested a tour of the parks and recreation facilities. She spoke with Rick, and they suggested having the tour during the week, while everything is in operation. Mr. Marland Ernest commented how nice he thought it was , that the Recreation Department had taken some of the Sehior Citizens , so they would have the opportunity to vote. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, February 1 , 1988 , Page 5 • Mrs. Wakeley mentioned that we also have an Income Tax Service for the seniors, every Friday, 9 : OOam-12 : 00 , free of charge. III . INPUT FROM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES None IV. INPUT FROM BEAUTIFY EULESS EVERYDAY COMMITTEE Mrs. Alice Ernest reported that after two months of attempts to come up with a site, for the $60, 000 . 00 landscape project, they have located an area. There are three land areas when you exit of of Airport Freeway, coming from Irving, the exit that is marked Highway 10 .This is an area that we can use and develop and it will not be completely torn up within the next five years. There were 416 pecan trees given to 4th graders in 6 elementary schools in Euless . It was a public awareness type program and an educational program, as well as just giving a pecan tree to each child. She stated that the Beautification Committee will be cleaning up litter at the corner of Highway 157 and Harwood, on February 6, 1988 . VII . INPUT FROM VISITORS Members of the Euless Athletic Association voiced their concern for their concession stand and storage area, when the new recreation building is completed. VIII . CONSIDERATION OF PARK PLAN UPDATE The motion was made and seconded, that the Board recommend to the City Council, at their earliest opportunity, for a professional to be contacted to update the City Park and Recreation Master Plan. The vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, Messrs. Ron Henson, Richard McNeese, Leon Hogg, and Chairman Marland Ernest. Nays: None Chairman Ernest declared the motion carried. IX. CONSIDERATION OF PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITY TOUR FOR BOARD Discussion centered around the tour of the parks and recreation facilities and it was decided, a date will be set at the next meeting. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, February 1 , 1988 , Page 6 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9 : 15 p.m. , with a closing prayer by Chairman Ernest. /2fZ1 Chairman Aolle Attest /01