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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-01-07 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board January 7 , 1985 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , January 7 , 1985 , in the Council Chamber of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ron Henson. Other members present were Mrs . Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Rod Ashford, Ken Balsinger, Marland Ernest, and George Zahn. Recreation Director Julia Wakeley, Parks Director Bob Phillips, and Recording Secretary Ophelia Smith were also present. VISITORS Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick attended the meeting. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Ken Balsinger. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated December 3 , 1984 , were approved as written. I . AREA AND FACILITY REPORTS Mr. Ashford, liaison for Bear Creek Park and McCormick Park, reported that the parks were clean and the extension to Bear Creek Park on the east side is being cleared further. Mr. Ashford stated that the facilities looked to be in excellent shape. Mr. Phillips replied to an inquiry of water standing in a low spot near the parking lot that it is being filled in slowly, in order , to save the pecan trees in the surrounding area. Mrs. Lightbody stated that she is responsible for re- porting on West Park. Mrs. Lightbody stated that she had been to the park several times recently, but did not notice anything that needed attention. Mrs. Lightbody stated that she noticed a lot of build-up in the storm drain which seemed to be coming from a westerly direction. • Mr. Phillips stated that the Parks Crew uses this soil that washes into the drainage ditch as fill dirt. , ..-_ Mr. Phillips stated that he believes the new ball field on the west side of West Park will need to be fenced to protect the property, expecially after irrigation is installed. Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, January 7 , 1985 Mr. Balsinger stated that the parks on his list are very inactive this time of year. He stated that they look to be in very good shape. Mr. Balsinger stated that he is still pushing for jogging trails in Wilshire and South Euless parks . Mr. Balsinger stated that he thinks a jogging trail would be good in South Euless park, since there is a housing development nearby. Mr. Balsinger stated that he would like to see the parks used more. Chairman Henson, liaison for Midway and Blessing Branch parks, reported that several lights are out on the tennis courts at Midway Park. Chairman Henson stated that Blessing Branch is a narrow strip of land along either side of a little creek. This park backs up to a sub-division on the north. The lay-out of the park does not lend itself for much usefulness. Chairman Henson stated that he is working with Mr. Phillips on re-working lighting on ballfield #3 in Midway Park. Mr. Phillips replied that the electiricians were aware of the lights that need to be replaced, and are just waiting for a suitable day to change them out. Mr. Ernest, liaison for the Community Building and Special Events , stated that he had nothing to report. Mr. Zahn, liaison for Oakwood Terrace Park, J. A. Carr Park, Kiddie Carr Park, and the Simmons Building, stated that there is a marked improvement in Oakwood Park. Mr. Zahn stated that the Parks Department has planted some trees in Oakwood Park which he thinks will be an added amenity to that park. Mr. Zahn stated that J. A. Carr Park looks to be in good shape. One light seems to be malfunctioning in J. A. Carr Park. Mr. Zahn stated that the doors have been removed from the buildings at Kiddie Carr Park, and thinks that ttis will help prevent vandalism. Mr. Phillips stated that the electrician explained that the dim light in J. A. Carr Park was losing power. The reason has not been determined yet. II. OBJECTIVES REPORTS Mr. Ashford stated that his Objective is "Survey of facilities" to find out if we are doing what we should be with present facilities . Mr. Ashford stated that this being the slow season, he had nothing to report. Mr. Ashford stated, also, that he had not heard any complaints . Mrs. Lightbody stated that her Objective is to "Establish joint meetings with Parks and Recreation Departments/Boards and Commissions from the H.E.B. areas . " Mrs. Lightbody stated that she had met with Hurst' s and Bedford' s Parks and Recreation Boards in November and they agreed that if there were anything worth-while to discuss they would be happy to meet, but not just on a routine basis . Mrs . Lightbody requested recommendations from the Staff and Board members concerning her Objective. Page Three , Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, January 7, 1985 Mr. Balsinger stated that his Objective is "Promotion of the City through parks and recreation. " He stated that he is working with Mr. Phillips on a gift catalogue. Mr. Balsinger distributed copies of sample covers, and explained that a letter of general information would be enclosed. The idea being to circulate the catalogue to clubs , organizations, and businesses , and make it available to citizens that might be interested in making a donation toward the purchase of some recreational equipment. Mr. Wakeley stated that she thinks recreation should be included, and would like to see the catalogue to see what recreational items are included. Mr. Phillips stated that Vaughan & Associates of Dallas will furnish the catalogues . The Department will have the covers made, and assemble them. Mr. Phillips stated that he had checked out every catalogue that Vaughan & Associates has , and decided to use one that has items for both parks and recreation. Mr. Phillips stated that he was looking for facilities for the parks. He stated that we are in bad need of facilities in our parks . Mr. Phillips stated that he feels there are people who would like the opportunity to make a donation to the purchase of equipment for parks and recreation. Mrs . Lightbody inquired if anything like this has been done in Euless before. Mr. Phillips replied that there is an organization that donates regularly to the Soccer Association. Mr. Phillips stated that the Soccer Association purchased their bleachers with donations . Mrs. McCormick stated that Friends of the Library donate regularly to the Library. Sometimes they donate books, and other times money from $500 to $1 , 000 per year. Mr. Phillips stated that items donated would have a plaque attached in recognition of the doner. Mr. Ernest stated that he had nothing to report. Mr. Zahn stated that he had nothing to report. Chairman Henson stated that his Objective is "Coordinate volunteer service group. " He stated that nothing is occuring at this time where volunteers are needed. Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, January 7 , 1985 • III. RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the attendance for the month of December was 5 , 669 at the Community Building. The Senior Citizens made their annual trip to Target this year on December 4th. Eighteen persons went on this shopping tour. On December 13th. the Senior Citizens held their annual Christmas luncheon at the Simmons Center. There were about seventy- five persons in attendance. One hundred and seventy-four (174) tickets were sold for the afgan which was given away at the Christmas luncheon. Sally Cook, Reference Librarian won the afgan. The Senior Citizens gave a $25 . 00 donation to the Cancer Society in honor of Monty Montgomery. Mrs . Willie Mae McCormick gave a $25. 00 gift to the Senior Citizen Fund in honor of Monty Montgomery. The City of Euless Recreation' s first "3 on 3" Basketball tournament will be held on Monday, January 28 , 1985 . This will be a double elimination tournament. Awards will be given to the top two teams. The Recreation Department will have a Ping Pong Tournament on Saturday, January 19 , 1985 . Divisions will consist of 15 and under, and 16 and over. First and second place teams will receive trophies . The Adult Softball Umpire School will begin classes on January 30 , 1985 . This is an eight-week course in umpiring adult soft- ball games . Persons will be ASA certified upon completion of the course . Ycuth and Adult Soccer continues registration for Spring leagues . The Mid-Cities Little Dribblers started their 1985 season with a Jamboree held on Saturday, January 5 , 1985 , at Central Junior High. They have three leagues this season Junior, Major, and Senior with a total of 500 participants. This is the first season to offer a Senior League. IV. PARKS DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that the Parks Department is now using seasoned chips made with our tree chipper on flower beds and around trees to protect the root system. The Civic Center Complex, grounds around the Public Safety Page Five , Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, January 7 , 1985 Building, and median strips on Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 157 were decorated with Christmas lights and foile pom-poms for the holidays. Five large, dead trees were cut down and removed from Midway Park, and five large catalpa trees were removed from the Civic Center Complex. Thirty-five trees have been transplanted on East Midway Drive median strips that were moved from the Cullum Drive property. The trees on the Cullum Drive property needed to be thinned out to allow for growth of the remaining trees . The Parks Department has planted thirty-seven (37) live oak and red oak trees at the Civic Center Complex. Fifteen young trees have been planted in Midway Park. Twenty-five trees have been planted on Fair Oaks median strip. Twenty new trees have been planted in Blessing Branch Park. Total number of trees planted in December was one-hundred and thirty-two (132) . The Parks Crew is helping remodel the property on Cullum Drive. Some park areas still require mowing and all median strips need cleaning and mowing regularly this time of year. On cold, rainy days the Parks Crew cleans and repairs trucks , tractors , and other • --- equipment. V. INPUT FROM CITY COUNCILPERSONS Mrs. McCormick stated that everything had already been discussed this evening. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 15 P.M. with a closing prayer by Chairman Henson. 4147 z./ Chairman i Attest/