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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-12-01 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Board December 1, 1986 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:05 p.m. , Monday, December 1, 1986, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Zahn. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, and Messrs. Marland Ernest, Ron Henson, and Richard McNeese. Mr. Michael Chance and Mr. Leon Hogg, alternate members, attended the meeting. Also present were Julia Wakeley, Recreation Director; Rick Herold, Interim Park Superintendent; K. B. Fuller, Director of Community Services; and Anniece Vargas, substitute recording secretary. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Richard McNeese. VISITORS Visitors attending the meeting were Mrs. Alice Ernest, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Park, Mrs. Leon Hogg, and Mr. Bud Hamm. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated November 3, 1986, were approved as written. OLD BUSINESS I. AREA AND FACILITY REPORTS Chairman Zahn introduced Mr. Rick Herold, Interim Park Superintendent; and mentioned that Mr. Bob Phillips had left his position as Park Director to take over the growing nursery. Mrs. Saleh, liaison for McCormick Park and Bear Creek Park, reported that there had not been much activity at McCormick Park. She mentioned that Mid-Cities Boulevard is under construction near the road leading to Bear Creek Park. She feels that the view of the sign at the entrance of the Bear Creek Park is obstructed by utility poles. She asked that the sign be relocated so that it can be made more visible. Mrs. Lightbody, liaison for Westpark, reported that there had not been much activity. She stated that the fields looked alright, but that the road needed repair. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, December 1, 1986, Page 2 Mr. McNeese, liaison for South Euless Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Euless Junior High, and Wilshire, reported that there had been little or no activity at the parks. He stated that there was very little litter, and that the items he brought up at the last meeting had been taken care of. He mentioned that the restrooms at Wilshire Park had been vandalized and that the locks on the gates were broken again. Also, the wood slatting by the soft drink machines had been pulled up and there was easy access to the pool area. Chairman Zahn, liaison for Carr Park, Kiddie Carr Park, and Oakwood Terrace, reported that the parks were still being used, mostly by students at the nearby schools. The jogging trail at Carr Park has been worked on, but that washouts have been occurring due to the recent rains. The playground equipment is continuing to be used; and the trees are maturing nicely at Oakwood Terrace. Discussion then centered around a newspaper article read by Mrs. Saleh regarding an independent company helping with the drainage at Bear Creek Park. Mr. Fuller mentioned that the drainage problem should be improved by the new construction of Mid-Cities Boulevard near the park. Mr. Hogg introduced Mr. Bud Hamm, who was attending tonight's meeting to express concern for the lighting on the jogging trail at Carr Park. Mr. Herold mentioned that there had been some erosion at the park. The Park crews were using a turf shaper that accidently cut the electrical line to the park, but the line was being repaired. He added that the park crews had applied a bed of crushed limestone with metal edging and are trying to reroute the drainage at the park. He mentioned that he had been receiving several calls regarding Carr Park. Mr. Ernest, liaison for special events, mentioned that the Senior Citizens had had a Thanksgiving Dinner on the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day -- it was quite a success. He added that invitations to the Christmas Luncheon on December 11, 1986, had been mailed -- he urged all Park and Recreation Board members to attend. He also reported that the gym at the Municipal Complex had been reopened and was seeing a lot of use. Mr. Henson, liaison for Midway Park, reported that he had not spent a great deal of time at the park during the month, but that there was some non-supervised play going on in the Park. II. DISCUSSION OF OBJECTIVES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS At Mrs. Saleh's request, the Board decided that a complete list of objectives should be prepared and distributed prior to the next regular meeting. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, December 1, 1986, Page 3 Mr. Ernest made a motion to table this item and schedule a working meeting in January at which time all members would be better prepared to discuss the issues. Mr. Ron Henson seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, Messrs. Marland Ernest, Ron Henson, Richard McNeese, and Chairman George Zahn. Nays: None Chairman Zahn declared the motion carried. III. STATEWIDE RECOGNITION OF CITY OF EULESS Mr. Henson reported that he had met with Mr. Tom Hart briefly regarding the Police Olympics, but had not thoroughly discussed the issue. He mentioned that he would meet with Mr. Hart this week and would report at the next meeting. He asked that this item be placed on the January agenda. NEW BUSINESS IV. PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Herold expressed his concern for keeping the Park and Recreation facilities well maintained and for keeping vandalism to a minimum. He mentioned that one of the park employees, Mr. Jessie Smith, will be in charge of seeing that the safety of the parks is maintained. Mr. Herold went on to report that the crews have been winterizing and resupplying the City buildings. The crepe myrtles and greenhouse cuttings have been sprayed; and the drip irrigation system is continuing to run smoothly. The "Trojan T" has been replaced on the berm at City Hall. The picnic tables and trashcans in the parks are being repainted and replaced. Mr. Herold further reported that the tools, equipment, vehicles, and swimming pool pumps have been winterized. The Park Department used 1,792 manhours during the month of November (485 - Horticulture; 960 - Ground Maintenance; 347 - Irrigation and Repair). Mr. Herold further added that one of the priorities of the Park Department is to take care of the erosion, replanting of trees, and removal of dead trees. He commented that the dirt work at Bear Creek may have to wait due to the road construction. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, December 1, 1986, Page 4 The holiday activities are in full-swing: Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. on December 9, 1986; poinsettias are being placed around the City buildings. V. RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the overall attendance at the recreational centers was 5,247 (Ruth Millican Center - 1,526; Simmons - 1,231; Gym - 2,490). On November 6, forty-two Senior Citizens took their fall trip to the "Front Porch" in Keller where they played bingo and walked down "Memory Lane" in an antique shop. On November 13, the Seniors ate birthday cake and also had their blood pressure checked. Eighty-five Seniors attended the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 20. Mrs. Wakeley wanted to personally thank Mrs. Lightbody on behalf of the Seniors for her assistance in making that day such a success. Then on November 25, the seniors went Christmas shopping to Northeast Mall. She added that the classes are going well and that the new recreation brochures should be out around December 12. Mrs. Wakeley also mentioned that the Recreation Department is planning a 10K run on Memorial Day. There will be a meeting on January 8, 1987, and volunteers are needed to help with the event. Mr. Herold added that there are 11 flag football teams in two divisions who play on Saturdays. The Trinity Arts Guild is assisting in the plans for a Magi Program to be presented on December 13. The stage and props are still under construction. Mrs. Wakeley expressed concern that the time had come to do some major repairs to the swimming pools (replacing diving boards, etc. ) due to deterioration. The weight room is open, and the cost is $1.00 per hour for residents of Euless and $2.00 per hour for non-residents. VI. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, December 1, 1986, Page 5 Councilman Ron Sternfels stated that he was sorry that he missed the Senior's luncheon. It was the first time in six years that he had been unable to attend. Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Park commented that there is a lot to do, and she hoped it all is accomplished. VII. INPUT FROM VISITORS Mrs. Alice Ernest reported on several work meetings of the Beautification Committee. She stated that the scrapbooks had been recompiled for the library open house and urged everyone to see them in the library. The Waste and Place workshop was attended by four teachers from South Euless Elementary School. She hoped that more would be aware and involved in litter prevention. She expressed concern that the Main Street project has drawn little response from businesses. However, things have not been finalized yet. She added that Donna Hibbets, administrator with the H-E-B I.S.D. , had received the necessary information for the poster contest which will be held in conjunction with Arbor Day. Mr. Leon Hogg reported that a total of 3,212 volunteer hours had been recorded at a savings of $4.00 per hour--saving the City a total of $12,848.00. Eight volunteers put in 60 hours in a recent murder mystery. Chairman Zahn reported that a letter to the Mayor had been written and mailed from the Tree Board regarding the safety of trees. Mr. Fuller stated that he had spoken with Jay Heilman, the City's Traffic Safety Coordinator, regarding ordinances for tree removal; he added that research is continuing. He also invited everyone to attend the tree lighting ceremony. Mr. Ernest suggested in the form of a motion that a letter be written by the Park and Recreation Board to Mr. Bob Phillips with respect to his superior performance in the capacity of Park Director. He suggested that the letter be signed by Chairman Zahn, with copies to the City Council and Board members. Mrs. Lightbody seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Mrs. Mary Lib Saleh, Messrs. Marland Ernest, Ron Henson, Richard McNeese, and Chairman George Zahn. Nays: None Chairman Zahn declared the motion carried. Regular Meetings Park and Recreation Board, December 1, 1986, Page 6 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. , with a closing prayer by Chairman Zahn. Chairman Attest