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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-03 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Board June 3 , 1985 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 05 P.M. , June 3 , 1985, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ron Henson. Other members present were Mrs . Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Rod Ashford, George Zahn, Ken Balsinger, and Marland Ernest. Staff members present were W. M. Sustaire, City Manager, Tom Hart, Asst. City Manager, Julia Wakeley, Recreation Director, Bob Phillips, Park Director, and Ophelia Smith, Secretary. VISITORS: Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick, Messrs. Leon Hogg., Bill Blackstock, John Hunt, Ken Davis, and Bill Holcomb attended the meeting. INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Mr. Marland Ernest. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Ashford moved to approve the minutes dated May 6, 1985 , as written. After discussion Chairman Henson requested a roll call vote. Ayes: Messrs. Ashford, Balsinger, Zahn, and Henson Nays: Mrs. Lightbody Abstentions: Mr. Ernest Chairman Henson declared the motion carried. ITEM 1: OBJECTIVE REPORTS Mr. Ashford stated that he had nothing to report. His Objective is "Survey of facilities. " Mrs. Lightbody stated that she had nothing to report on her Objective, "Coordinating joint meetings in the Mid-Cities area. " Mrs. Wakeley remarked that the Recreation Departments in Euless and Bedford are jointly working on the Summer Recreation program. The City of Euless will offer the Track program. The City of Bedford will have charge of Competitive Swimming. Mr. Balsinger stated that in "Marketing" the gift catalogue has been completed and is ready for distribution. Mr. Leon Hogg reported that five volunteers helped with the . Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 2 dance recital given recently by the Recreation Department. The next activity where volunteers will be needed is the T.A.A.F. Track Meet on June 29 , and the Fun Run of June 7 , 1985. Chairman Henson complying with a suggestion by Mr. Lightbody recommended Mr. Zahn for Coordinator of Volunteers representing the Park Department. The Volunteer Services program would function as originally planned. After discussion Mr. Ernest moved to assign Mr. Zahn the responsibil- ity of coordinating volunteers for the Park Department. Mrs. Lightbody seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs. Balsinger, Ashford, Henson, and Ernest. Nays: None Abstentions: Mr. Zahn Chairman Henson declared Mr. Zahn officially assigned the responsib- ility of Volunteer Coordinator for the Park Department coordinating volunteer services with Mr. Hogg. Mr. Zahn Will work directly with Mr. Phillips according to his needs , Chairman Henson stated. ITEM 2: AREA AND FACILITY REPORTS Mr. Zahn reported that Oakwood Terrace playground is in good shape. The clown swing has been repaired and in use. Kiddie Carr Park is in good shape. This park is not used very much. Perhaps activity will pick up now that school is out for summer vacation. J. A. Carr Park is in good shape. This park is being used a lot. People are beginning to use the park more in the early morning and late afternoon. Mr. Phillips replied to inquiry about lighting that the electricians had replaced the lights on the Simmons Street side of J. A. Carr Park that had been damaged by vandals. Mr. Ernest commented that a citizen had reported to him that there were two dark areas in J. A. Carr Park. One place is near the Simmons Building and the other area is on the west side of the park by the creek. Chairman Henson remarked that Midway Park is being used quite extensively. Activities are going on simultaneously in most areas of the park; tennis , volleyball, swimming, and softball were all being pursued. The park was well groomed. Mr. Balsinger stated that usage has picked up in the parks ir his assignment, and all are in good shape. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 3 Mrs. Lightbody reported that West Park is well maintained. She mentioned that she feels a fence is needed on the west side of the park for protection. Mr. Phillips stated that people riding motorcycles are entering West Park from the west side. Mr. Sustaire replied to and inquiry from Mr. Phillips that he sees no choice except to install a high cyclone fence on the west side of West Park for the protection of the park and facilities. Mr. Sustaire added that directly West of the park the City of Bedford is building a home for Senior Citizens which will consist of two hundred-forty (240) units. When these are finished it could possibly alleviate some of the problems . Mr. Ashford reported that the Hike and Bike trail at Bear Creek Park is covered with mud in two places after a heavy rain. On the east side of the park a piece of playground equipment needs some parts securely fastened. Mr. Phillips stated that Texas Power and Light Company has repaired lights in Bear Creek Park. ITEM 3: AWARDS PRESENTATION Chairman Henson presented Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick, who recently retired from the Euless City Council , with a plaque from the Park and Recreation Board honoring her for her loyal support to the Board during her twelve years of service on the City Council. Mr. Sustaire and Mr. Hart assisted in the presentation ceremony. ITEM 4: THE GOVERNOR' S BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM Mr. Phillips reviewed the Governor' s Beautification Program. The program will be known as "Keeping Texas Beautiful. " In Euless it will be referred to as "Keeping Euless Beautiful. " Mrs. Lightbody, Park and Recreation Board member, and Mrs. Carolyn Park, City Council- person, have volunteered to be co-chairmen of the contest in the City of Euless. Mr. Phillips stated that he, Mrs. Lightbody, Mrs. Park and their spouses plan to attend the Beautification Awards Conference in San Antonio, on June 5, 6 , and 7 , 1985 , to learn more about the rules and regulations for this year ' s program. After some discussion, Mr. Balsinger made the motion that the Board write a letter to the City Council recommending the City participate in the Governor' s Beautification Program this year, and that the Board approves the appointments of Mrs. Lightbody and Mrs. Park as co-chairmen of the Committee. Mr. Zahn seconded the motion. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 4 Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs . Ashford, Ernest Zahn, Henson, and Balsinger Nays: None Chairman Henson declared the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Henson authorized the Secretary to write a letter to the City Council expressing the Board' s desires regarding the Governor' s Beautification Program. ITEM 5: PARK DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that all the air-condition pads in the City Greenhouse were replaced last month. The Greenhouse was vandalized twice during the month of May. A six foot cyclone fence has been installed in an effort to prevent future vandalism. Fertilizer was applied to McCormick Park, Bear Creek Park, and the grounds at Fire Station No. 1 last month. West Park was fertilized twice. The turf at West Park was badly damaged two years ago by severely cold weather. Every effort is being made to re-establish a good root system on the grass in this park. The Lakewood tennis court is in very bad condition due to the severely cold weather we suffered two years ago. Repairs on the court have not been satisfactory. We are looking for a material that will be of lasting value to re-surface this tennis court. An irrigation system has been installed on the T-Ball field in Midway Park. We have installed extra sprinklers in the infields of all five ball fields at Midway Park in an effort to control the dust. Lack of rainfall has made it necessary to use the water truck three days each -week to keep trees , plants, and flowers alive in areas where there is no irrigation. The flower beds at the Civic Center Complex, in the parks, and median strips over the City have been worked by the Horticultural Crew. A sign is being made by the Park Crew for the new Ruth Millican Recreation Center. ITEM 6: RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the attenda ce at the Community Building for the month of May was 2 , 225 . The Ruth Millican Recreation Center had 763 persons to attend that center. Summer Recreation classes started on June 3 , 1985. "Movies in the Park" will begin on June 14 . The first movie Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 5 will be "Old Yeller. " The swimming pools opened to the public on Saturday, June 1 , 1985. Closing date this year will be August 15 , 1985 . There were four swim parties prior to opening this year. Another pool party has been scheduled for June 15. A new chlorination system has been installed at all three pools. We have changed from gas chlorine to sodium hypochlorite. This is a more effective system, and safer for the young employees working at the pools. The new Recreation Center at, 201 South Cullum, will be officially dedicated, and named the Ruth Millican Recreation Center on June 13, 1985. Mrs. Wakeley stated that she and Mrs. Betty Yarbrough attended a Marketing meeting for Sesquicentennial Fund Raising in Temple on May 30. We have some very interesting promotional and collectable items that we will be explaining more about after the next Sesqui- centennial Committee Meeting. We have started interviews for the Sesquicentennial Oral History project. Literature was distributed about the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train. The group will travel through Grapevine on June 6 , 1986 . Mrs . Wakeley suggested making plans for a group of Euless citizens to meet them at that point to welcome them to this part of Texas. The Adult Tennis League ended on May 28 . The Junior Tennis League started on June 3rd. The Summer Track program started on June 3rd. with 94 youngsters registering. Coach Tim Massey will head up this program, and Gerry Smith of U.T.A. will be assisting him. The T.A.A.F. Regional Meet will be in Euless on June 29 , 1985. The Euless Recreation Department will be hosting the 1985 Regional Girl ' s Softball for Senior Girls and ,Minor Girls on June 28 , 29 , and 30 , 1985. ITEM 7: INPUT FROM CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick expressed her appreciation for a plaque the Board gave her earlier in the meeting. She also stated that she had enjoyed her tenure on the City Council and her association with the Park and Recreation Board during that time. Mrs. Wakeley replied to an inquiry by Mrs. McCormick that H.E.B. Hospital will conduct the Dedication Ceremonies of the Fitness Court in Bear Creek Park on June 13 , 1985 , at 4 : 00 P.M. Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 6 Mr. Sustaire presented each member of the Board with an Euless pin. He remarked that he hoped they would wear them with pride and help promote the City. Mr. Sustaire stated that a few citizens whose homes border McCormick Park have asked that the playground equipment be moved to another location in the park. The majority of citizens living in the neighborhood have protested the move. Administration is working on a solution to the problem. Mr. Sustaire commented that everyone will need to be involved in the Governor' s Beautification Program, if we are to be successful , in the forth coming year. All the Board members will need to be involved. The City solicits the support of the Board and appreciates the authorization to enter the program. Mr. Sustaire remarked that any effort the City enters into regarding Park and Recreation authorization should come from this Board. ITEM 8 : INPUT FROM VISITORS Chairman Henson introduced Mr. Ken Davis of the Mid-Cities Rustlers Square Dance Club. Mr. Davis described the type of facilities required for a square dance group to function well and expressed the concern of the Mid- Cities Rustlers for adequate facilities in the future. Mr. Davis expressed appreciation of facilities provided by the City, and hopes that the long range planning of the Park and Recreation Board will include provisions for this activity. Mr. Davis stated that the first of this year Square Dancing was designated the National Folk Dance of the United States of America. The Mid-Cities Rustlers is quite proud of that fact, and would like to perpetuate and stimulate the participation of this form of recreation. Adequate facilities are required to promote this activity. Close communication is necessary to inform members of the North Texas area when changes are made to enable them to plan visitation of other Square Dance Clubs. Mr. Davis expressed appreciation and 'respect for consideration in the past, and hopes the future planning of the Park and Recreation Board will include facilities so the Square Dancers can continue practicing this form of fun activity. Mrs. Lightbody asked what per cent of the Mid-Cities Rustlers Square Dance Club are Euless residents . Mr. Davis replied that the Mid-Cities Rustlers Club membership is made up from residents of Euless and cities in the surrounding area. He stated there are one hundred and twenty clubs in the North Texas area, and if a poll were taken at the dances a large per cent would be from Euless. • Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, June 3 , 1985 , Page 7 Mrs. Lightbody inquired if dances could be scheduled months in advance in different areas each time so both local residents , as well as, members could benefit from the activity. Mr. Davis replied that was logical approach, but there are no facilities in most areas to accommodate this type of activity. Mr. Ashford asked if in the ten years of dealing with the Park and Recreation in Euless and reserving facilities has the problem become progressively worse. Mr. Davis replied that the scheduling of activities has not become worse, but it changes from time to time. The Club has had to move from one location to another, which creates an unstable situation for Club activities. Mr. Davis stated that the Club has grown and the popularity of Square Dancing is increasing, and everything looks bright, as long as, they are assured of a place to dance. Mr. Balsinger inquired of the status of the Community Building. Mr. Sustaire reviewed preliminaries of the Master Plan for remodeling the Community Building. He remarked that we may be inconvienced for a short while, but accommodations will be better once remodeling has been completed. Mrs. Wakeley asked what the Mid-Cities Rustlers charged for admission to their dances. Mr. Davis replied that there is an admission fee of $2. 00 per person to cover expenses for Callers and refreshments. Members pay quarterly dues of defray cost of Club administration and publicity. The Club pays the City $65 . 00 per month for use of the Community Building. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Park and Recreation Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 00 P.M. with a closing prayer by Chairman Henson. „„,i) Chairman AIL/td!/1-7-&/ /11 Attest •