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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-04 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board March 4, 1985 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:02 P.M., March 4, 1985, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ron Henson. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Ken Balsinger, Marland Ernest, and George Zahn. Also present were William T. Engle, Jr. , alternate Board member; Bob Phillips, Parks Director; Julia Wakeley, Recreation Director; and Anniece Vargas, substitute recording secretary. • VISITORS Mr. Ken L. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Hogg, and Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick attended the meeting. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. George Zahn. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated January 7, 1985, were approved as written. I. AREA AND FACILITY REPORTS Mr. Ernest, liaison for the Community Building and Special Events, mentioned that the Recreation Center had been relocated to Cullum Drive. He felt that it was a nice facility with a lot of space and pretty surroundings. The building consists of a large room (a former church sanctuary) and four classrooms. He further added that the building will be used for two or three years, until a new facility is constructed. After that time, the building will be used for employee wellness and fire department training. Mr. Phillips commented that his department had been thinning the trees on the acreage and that a water tower would be located there at some date in the future. Mrs. Wakeley stated that the new Community Building will be located at Midway Park. Mr. Zahn, liaison for Oakwood Terrace, Carr Park and the Simmons Building, reported that the activities are picking up. He expressed concern regarding inadequate lighting at the facility at night. Page TWo, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 4, 1985 Mr. Phillips responded that he will talk with the electricians to see about replacing the fixture. He added that he had recently planted several red oak trees at Carr Park. Chairman Henson, liaison for Midway Park and Blessing Branch, reported that softball season is approaching, the tennis court lights generally work, and the lawn is greening up. He estimated that the area • will see tremendous use this year. He commented that the park at Blessing Branch had been mowed and the facilities are suitable for walking. Numerous pecan trees had been planted, which make the area attractive. Mr. Phillips commented that a tournament will be starting soon. He further added that the City would have access to a truck to aid in taking care of the lights. Mr. Balsinger, liaison for Wilshire Elementary, Euless Junior High, Lakewood Elementary, and South Euless Park, reported that there has been little activity in the parks. He did notice that there were a few more people playing tennis due to the nice weather. Mrs. Lightbody, liaison for Westpark, stated that there had been considerable work going on at the park: new fencing, clearing of trees, and a possible new ball field. It was her feeling that all the work being done would be great for the spring activities. Discussion then centered around the agreement between the City and Softball World. Mr. Phillips stated that the City would install an irrigation system and would landscape the entrance to the park in exchange for allowing the City to use their facility. Mr. Ernest expressed two concerns: the inadequate lighting at the entrance to Bear Creek Park, and the lack of volunteers for the City's Easter Egg Hunt. Mr. Phillips stated that Texas Power & Light had been notified and that the lights seem to work intermittently. He felt that he and a representative of Texas Power & Light should inspect the problem together. II. OBJECTIVE REPORTS • Mrs. Lightbody expressed a desire to see a joint Sesquicentennial. celebration among the cities of Euless, Hurst, and Bedford. Mr. Ernest stated that the State Legislature designated the date for the celebration. In January, a local committee, Co-Chaired by Mrs. Betty Yarbrough (Library Director) and Mrs. Julia Wakeley, was formed and April 6, 1986 was chosen as the date. Plans are to have a parade, 5K and 10K runs, a history project, and interviews with long-time residents • of Euless. Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 4, 1985 Mrs. Wakeley mentioned that there would be a wagon train passing through Grapevine that Euless might want to be a part of. She also mentioned that the Euless on Parade festivities would take place on April 5, 1986. She added that the festivities would be videotaped for later viewing, as well as future planning for the Texas Bicentennial celebration. Mr. Ernest recommended that the Board Members at their next meeting might suggest various activities to be included in the festivities. Mr. Balsinger recommended devising a booklet which would list various types of equipment which would list items that volunteers might donate for the City's use. He suggested that a plaque be attached to each item and that a presentation be made to the donor. Mr. Phillips stated that the book is ready, but he is awaiting a distribution date. Chairman Henson mentioned that the Chairpersons for the volunteer service group, Leon and Jan Hogg, were in attendance at this meeting and had suggestions to be presented to the Board. Mr. Leon Hogg submitted a sample volunteer application form to the Board members. He suggested: a volunteer record list be kept up-to-date; a reward system for recognizing active volunteers; a daily Senior Citizen calling system; a newsletter for volunteers; and a method of recognizing volunteer coaches of softball, baseball, and soccer teams. Chairman Henson felt that these suggestions would stir citizen interest and encourage more volunteers to participate. Mr. Hogg added that a log would be kept of the volunteers, their chosen activities, and the hours they work. He stated that a name for the volunteer group was needed. Mr. Balsinger suggested circulating volunteer applications through the recreation activities mailers, library bookmarks, and water billing. He also thought a banquet to recognize volunteers would be a good idea. Mr. Hogg stated that the volunteers would be screened to determine their area of interest. Chairman Henson expressed concern for a women's self-defense program. Mr. Balsinger recommended more publicity for the program, as well as gearing the program more toward prevention and awareness instead of a "karate-type" class. He further suggested having a police officer conduct the class. The general consensus of the Board was that there was a need for such a program recommended by Mr. Balsinger. • Page _Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & 'Recreation Board, March 4, 1985 III. PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that 374 pecan trees were delivered to Euless Fourth Graders for Arbor Day. He further commented that all the trees in the parks and at the City Complex had been fertilized with Jobes tree spikes. He went on to state that a total of 358 red and live oaks had been dug from the west side of Fort Worth. He added that 200 boxes for one-inch caliper red oaks had been built. The boxes would have a drip irrigation . system which would also fertilize the trees. A total of 1,000 acorns had been planted in the greenhouse and would be transplanted into larger containers later. Mr. Phillips remarked that the painting of playground equipment had been completed. He further reported that 240 yards of clay had been spread and prepared on five baseball fields, a procedure required every two years. In addition, 240 yards of dirt had been added to the small field at Westpark. To prevent vandalism and motorcycles from destroying the field, a new fence was designed and put in place. He plans to plant more red oaks and install irrigation, water fountain, and underground electricity. The Park crews placed and leveled 420 yards of sand on the flag football field at Bear Creek, and the field will be ready by the summer. Mr. Phillips stated that his crews helped Mrs. Wakeley in the relocation of the Recreation Department to their new facility on Cullum Drive. Three Park employees accompanied Mr. Phillips to a four-day conference at Texoma Lodge, which proved to be beneficial. Mr. Phillips stated that the State Highway Department had approved landscaping on S.H. 10. He commented on the type of landscaping desired and the need for volunteer help to work on this project. Mr. Zahn expressed concern for irrigating the Tomball field due to wind blowing the dirt during the games. Mir. Phillips felt that the area could be irrigated, but would not take place this budget year. He would talk with the Water Department about Mr. Zahn's concern. IV. RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the January attendance at the Community Building was 7,955; for January, the total was 5,200. Regarding winter registration, there were 42 class units, three classes did not make, for a total of 544 participants. For the spring registration, 566 people are registered, in 45 class units, five classes did not make. • Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 4, 1985 She added that the relocation to the Cullum facility went well. She mentioned that some classes did not move to the Cullum facility: jazzerobics, aerobics, tumbling, country western dance, and square dance. Mrs. Wakeley reminded the Board of the operating hours at the Community Building (5:00-9:00 Monday-Friday and 9:00-9:00 Saturday) and at the Cullum Center (9:00-9:00 Monday-Thursday, 9:00-5:00 Friday, and closed Saturday) . Sixty teams have signed up for spring softball; 84 teams are anticipated. Three leagues will play at Softball World. Registration for Boy's Baseball will begin on March 16; registration for Girl's Softball commences on March 23. Mrs. Wakeley informed the Board that 789 youth are registered for soccer (a total of 190 being boys aged 10 and under) . There are three men's soccer teams and three women's soccer teams, totalling 110 participants. The total number of youth involved in Classic Soccer is 100. So, the total soccer enrollment is 999. She further reported that the ASA Umpire School will be completed on March 6, totalling 35 new umpires. There are two adult tennis leagues, comprised of 15 participants. The Senior Citizen's Valentine's Day Party was a success, as was the covered dish luncheon that was held on February 28. Eighteen "Little Ladies" attended the Little Ladies Tea Party on February 12, at which time the girls had a style show, made necklaces, had refreshments, and watched a live puppet show. Attendance in the future is expected to triple. The Faster Egg Hunt will take place at Midway Park on April 3, 1985, with a total of 300 expected. The Euless Poster/Puzzle should be on the market in April. Fifty- three business have purchased advertisements and forty pre-paid orders have come in. The new Fitness Court at Bear Creek Park is ready for dedication in April. Harris Hospital contributed two-thirds of the funds, while the City of Euless Recreation Department contributed the remaining one-third. The Euless Park Department installed the facility. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCILPERSONS Since Mrs. McCormick is not-running for re-election, Chairman Henson expressed the Board's gratitude to her for her input and concern for the Parks and Recreation Board. • Page_ Six, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 4, 1985 -- Mrs. McCormick stated that she had nothing to report to the Board. VI. INPUT FROM VISITORS Mr. Ken Davis made the Board aware that his landscaping company is interested in doing business with the City as needed. He was concerned that the City parks might not be fully utilized by the citizens. He suggested more publicity regarding announcing the time of this Board's meetings and possibly a telephone survey to get Citizen's opinions and desires regarding Parks and Recreation in Euless. Mr. Hogg reminded the Members to be thinking of a name for the Volunteer Group. He expressed his delight in the City's involvement in the Sesquicentennial celebration. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M. with a closing prayer by Chairman Henson. Chairman At st