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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-10-01 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board October 1, 1984 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , October 1 , 1984 , in the Council Chamber of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Ron Henson. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Marland Ernest, Rod Ashford, and Ken Balsinger. Also present were Recreation Director Julia Wakeley, Parks Director Bob Phillips, and Recording Secretary Ophelia Smith. VISITORS Visitors present were Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick, City Manager W. M. Sustaire, Mrs. Jan Hogg, Messrs. Billy Owens, Bobby Baker, Leon Hogg, and Darrell McBrayer. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Marland Ernest. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated September 10 , 1984 , were approved with the following correction requested by Mr. Ernest: Page Four, under DISCUSSION delete the second to the motion. I . RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS City Manager Sustaire presented Leon Hogg a plaque in recognition of his many years of service as president of the Euless Girl ' s Softball Association. Bobby Baker, retired Board member and past Chairman, was presented a plaque for his services on the Board by Mr. Sustaire. Also, Billy Owens, immediate past Chairman of the Board, was presented a plaque for his tireless work with Parks and Recreation by the City Manager. II. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION OF OBJECTIVES Helen Lightbody reviewed Objective number three: Establish joint meeting with Parks and Recreation Departments/Boards and Com- missions from H.E.B. area. Mrs . Lightbody stated that she believes this is a good Objective and would like to keep it in our future plans. Marland Ernest reported on Objective number two: Survey of current facilities and current facility use. Mr. Ernest stated Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 1 , 1984 that he thinks one of the duties of the Board is to be aware of the facilities we have and how they are being used. Mr. Ernest stated that he found there was a good record on this subject, especially those that operate on a fee basis . He stated that the Directors have documented and tabulated this information. Mr. Ernest stated that he did not see that the Board needs to generate a document peculiar or specifically for the purpose of doing that. He stated that this information is available when needed; however, there are some specific areas the Board will need to be active in. Mr. Ernest . stated that he would welcome the contact point in this area of facility usage. Mr. Ernest stated that having the Objectives listed helps the Board to focus on what they need to be doing. While the Board may not have an active project on each one of the Objectives at all times , this is the primary function of the Board, and agrees fully regarding Objective number two. Mr. Ashford stated that regarding Objective number four: Survey citizens for needs and interest in Parks and Recreation, he had nothing to report. Chairman Henson accepted the responsibility of working with Objective number one: Co-ordinate volunteer service group. Chairman Henson stated there are five or six times during the year when volunteers are needed to assist with a special event. Volunteers would be covered under present insurance while on duty. The volunteer service group would need someone to head the group as co-ordinator. Chairman Henson stated a volunteer group is greatly needed to assist the staff with special events. Mrs. Wakeley stated that she agreed with Mr. Ernest that when we need an assessment and usage of facilities, delve into Objective number two. Also, Mrs. Wakeley stated that she could see Objective number three as being important too, but meeting only three or four times during the year. And Mrs. Wakeley stated that volunteers would be needed to conduct a survey. Mrs. Wakeley stated that she feels the Volunteer Group is the most needed Objective. Mr. Phillips stated that volunteers would be helpful to the Parks Department working flowerbeds, also, with irrigation with- out automatic control systems . Mr. Phillips stated volunteers could be helpful with trash pick-up. City Manager Sustaire stated that the Beautification Contest started as a volunteer movement, but became primarily a staff movement which cost the City a considerable amount of money due to lack of volunteers. He stated that the only way we could continue the beautification program would be through a volunteer program. Mr. Ernest suggested the organization of a volunteer group with a catchy name that would meet on a regular basis to make plans for what they are going to do or participate in, and not just mobilize for a special event. Mrs. McCormick cited the Trailwood Addition as an excellent Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 1 , 1984 example of volunteers working to beautify the City. Citizens in the Trailwood Addition started the project and hand watered it from their yards before they had water for irrigation. This is a beautiful area that shows what a group of volunteers can do working to-gether, said Mrs. McCormick. Mr. Hogg stated that he thinks to start a program such as the Volunteer Group being discussed, it should be small at the start, and then grow. He suggested selecting an area, and once it is off the ground, enlarge to another area, and keep adding on until the organiza- tion is the right size to serve the City' s needs. Mrs. Lightbody made the motion to retain all five of the Objectives which have been assigned one each to a Board member. The Objectives should be kept in the background and reported on only when there is something to report. Mr. Ernest seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs. Ernest, Ashford, and Balsinger. Nays: None. Chairman Henson declared the motion carried. Chairman Henson appointed Ken Balsinger to be in charge of Objective number five: Promotion of City through Parks and Recreation as a marketing tool . Mr. Balsinger accepted the appointment. Chairman Henson appointed Leon Hogg as Co-ordinator of the Volunteer Service Group. Mr. Hogg accepted the appointment. Chairman Henson informed the Board that, in the future, it will be noted on the Agenda that members should notify the Staff if they are unable to attend the Board meeting. Chairman Henson stated that members who do not inform the Staff when they plan to be absent from a meeting will be contacted by telephone regarding their intentions . III. PARKS DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that the Parks Crew is presently clearing an addition of twenty-six acres to Little Bear Creek Park. This beautiful new park land is located on the east side of Little Bear Creek Park making it extend within 2. 9 acres of North Main Street. There is a beautiful grove of pecan trees on this new park acreage. Some of the trees will be cleared out to make room for remaining ones to grow and branch out. Mr. Phillips stated a third ballfield has been completed at West Park. This field was built for 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade girls to use. Mr. Phillips stated that two light poles at West Park have been reset. Some of the bolts had broken causing them to be Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 1 , 1984 a safety hazard especially during a strong, high windstorm. Mr. Phillips stated that the field is presently lighted 90% . Mr. Phillips stated that the Parks Crew moved twenty trees to the tree farm at South Euless Park. This is an area where trees are placed to hold them until we are ready to plant them at their pernament location. IV. RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that the Community Building had an attendance of 2 , 346 during the month of September. The Senior Citizens had over two hundred people enjoy the "Tasting Bee" held on September 13th. which was more than double the number served last year. Each Senior brought three dishes. This made approximately ninety different dishes to taste and try. Nineteen Senior Citizens joined in the Fall Trip to the Senior Citizens ' Arts and Crafts Fair at Birdville Colosseum on September 28th. In the afternoon the group went through the Tate Museum of Transportation near Cresson. The new Fall Session II Recreation programs will be mailed out next week. Pre-registration will be October 15th. through 20th. for those already in classes. Registration will be open to the public on October 22nd. through October 26th. Special events coming up are the Health Symposium on November 8th. , at the Simmons Recreation Center, and the Great Salad Mix-Up on November 10th. , at the Community Building. Mrs. Wakeley stated that the athletic program is moving along on schedule. Cheryl Jones, athletic supervisor, won the bid for the T.A.A.F. (Texas Amateur Athletic Federation) Men' s Open Slow Pitch Softball State tournament to be held the first weekend in August. This tournament will be held at Softball World. There will be four staff members attending the Texas Recreation and Park Society Conference in Fort Worth, on October 3 - 5 , 1984 . Also, the Recreation Department will supply tickets for any Board member who wishes to attend. V. INPUT FROM COUNCILPERSONS AND VISITORS Mrs . McCormick stated that she had nothing to report. Mr. Sustaire stated he was pleased to see committees being set up on Objectives for Parks and Recreation and getting started in this direction. Mr. Sustaire stated that he believes we will make progress, if we continue to pursue this direction. He stated that the Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 1 , 1984 Staff wants to work with the Board. Mr. Billy Owens stated that it was a pleasure working with the Board, and he would continue to help in every way possible. Mr. Bobby Baker stated that it was a real pleasure working with the Board. He stated that his greatest safisfaction was getting to know Mrs. Wakeley and Mr. Phillips, and finding out what fine people they are, and what they are doing for the City. Mr. Darrell McBrayer stated that soccer was in the second week of the playing season. He stated that there are over 800 persons in the soccer program. That figure represents seventy teams. The games are mostly played at Harwood Soccer Fields, Bedford Boy' s Ranch, and West Park. There are a considerable number of teams that travel throughout Tarrant County and parts of Dallas County. Mr. McBrayer stated that there were also a lot of teams from surrounding territory who play in our area from Denton, Dallas, and several other places . The youths ' season will go through the middle of November. Then they will start playing again soon. Mr. McBrayer stated that the adults have five soccer teams this season, three men' s teams and two women' s teams that play on Sundays at Harwood Soccer Fields and West Park. They are in their fifth week of the season. He also stated that there are probably enough adults interested in playing soccer that we could have two or three more teams , if we had coaches and volunteers to organize the teams. Also, practice poses a problem, since adults need lighted fields for practice. COMMENTS Mr. Hogg, speaking for the Euless Girl ' s Softball Associa- tion, remarked that the young girls vere very appreciative of the new ball field at West Park. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 25 P. M. with a closing prayer by Chairman Henson. Chairman • Attes •