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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-08-06 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board August 6, 1984 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , August 6 , 1984 , in the Council Chamber of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Billy Owens . Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Rod Ashford , and Marland Ernest. 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 , Darrell McBrayer, Don Hawthorne, Cheryl Jones , Mike Harris, Randy Byers , Kerry McCombs, and Ronald G. Couch. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Chairman Owens . APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated July 2 , 1984 , were approved as written. Chairman Owens announced his resignation effective at the close of the meeting. I . RECOMMENDED OBJECTIVES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD After some discussion Mr. Ernest made the motion that the Chairman solicit volunteers to sign up for each of the Recommended Objectives to pursue and have a plan, short range and long range, of how we can make the Objective work or give reasons why we cannot work with it, and report back at a time when we can discuss the findings . If there are insufficient volunteers , let the Chairman assign the ones that remain. Mrs. Lightbody seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs. Ashford, Ernest, and Owens . Nays: None. Chairman Owens requested volunteers for the Recommended • Objectives for Parks and Recreation. Mr. Ernest selected Objective number two: Survey of current facility use . Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, August 6 , 1984 Mrs . Lightbody volunteered for Objective number three: Establish joint meeting with Parks and Recreation Departments/Boards and Commissions from H.E.B. area. Mr. Ashford volunteered for Objective number four: Survey citizens for needs and interests in Parks and Recreation. Chairman Owens appointed Mr. Henson for Objective number. one: Co-ordinate volunteer service group, and Mr. Smith to work with number five: Promotion of City through Parks and Recreation as a marketing tool . Chairman Owens asked Board members to take into consider- ation their study of Objectives and report to the next regular meeting . II . AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Mrs Wakeley introduced Cheryl Jones, Athletic Supervisor , who presented awards to the Police and Fire Association for their help with the 10-K Run held on May 12. Mike Harris, Police Officer, and Randy Byers, Fireman, accepted the awards . Mrs. Wakeley then asked Chairman Owens to make the present- ation of awards to retiring Board members; Bobby Baker, past Chairman , Kerry McCombs , and Brenda Ashford. (Mr. Ashford accepted the award for Mrs . Ashford. ) III. PARKS DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that the water truck has been used on an average of four days per week this summer, due to lack of rain. The retaining wall along-side the jogging trail at Little Bear Creek Park has been built up with cross-ties, and back of wall filled with fill dirt. The irrigation crew is staying busy with constant watering . The Parks Department has been clearing underbrush and trimming trees on the property recently acquired by the City on Cullum Drive. Mowing and removing trash along Hwy' s. 157 and 10 continues . Regular mowing of all parks and Civic Center Complex continues. Page Three , Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, August 6 , 1984 IV. RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that Fall Softball registration is now in progress. Softball league play will begin August 20th . Soccer will start their fall season on August 14th. Registration for Recreation Classes will begin on August 20 . On July 25th, Mr. Sustaire and Mr. Hart served banana splits to all the City employees. There were 190 people served at the SimmoU:: Center from 1 : 00 to 5 : 00 P.M. This was enjoyed by all . Much to their delight the Senior Citizens were served left overs the next day. V. DISCUSSION OF SWIMMING POOL FEES Mrs. Wakeley distributed a paper to members of the Board with comparison attendance records of the swimming pools for June, July, and the first five days of August for 1983 and 1984 . Mrs. Wakeley pointed out that the attendance has almost tripled the first five day:-; of August. Chairman Owens stated that he agreed with the City Council ' s decision to offer free swimming to the citizens for the last twelve days of the season. He stated that he is always pleased when things are offered to the citizens free for their tax dollars . Mrs. Wakeley replied to an inquiry from Chairman Owens that it would cost the City between $1 , 500 and $2 , 000 to operate the swimming pools for twelve days. Mr. Ernest stated that he takes exception to getting something for nothing. He stated that this falls in the Board ' s area of interest and should not go without notice, and without some discussion by the Board. Mr. Ernest stated that the value to the citizens of Euless is of primary concern. He stated that he thinks the Board should be aware of what is taking place and work with Parks and Recreation staff, and be prepared to let the Council know what we recommend next year. Mrs. Lightbody stated that she is interested in what the findings are as a result of this which is probably a trial set up to determine what we may do in future years or what might be helpful . Mr. Ashford stated that he has no problems with the City Council offering free swimming. He stated that he thinks it is great, and that his children are enjoying the swimming. Chairman Owens stated that he has heard only good response . Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, August 6 , 19E34 Mr. Ernest stated that he thinks it is terrible . People do not appreciate anything that they receive free for very long, nor do they respect it for very long. The mere fact that it is free it will be abused, and will not be appreciated. It could be used even more so for free baby-sitting services . One dollar per day is very reasonable for that type of entertainment. Mr. Ernest stated that if the fee is not being paid by those swimming, if comes from the tax- payer, those swimming and not swimming. Mr. Ernest stated he opposed offering free swimming to the public, but stated that he is willing to look at the results and listening to what the thinking of the Council. is . Chairman Owens stated that he thinks it is a good thing that the Council has maintained a neighborhood approach to swimming activities, and the parks . In answer to an inquiry from Chairman Owens, Mrs . McCormick stated that the idea was , since the pools loose so very much money every year, we could cut back on administration by offering free swimming, and probably not loose much more money. Mr. Ashford stated he agrees that people abuse that which is free. He stated that he was of the opinion this was a promotional. item, and considered it a good concept. Mr. Ernest made the motion that the Recreation Director make an up-to-date report on the trial free swimming operation at the next regular meeting. Mr. Ashford seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mrs . Lightbody, Messrs. Ernest, Ashford, and Owens . Nays: None. Chairman Owens declared the motion carried. VI . DISCUSSION OF ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Owens stated that he believes the City has grown to the point where the Parks and Recreation Department should be two separate divisions . Chairman Owens stated that the Board could spend all the time it could allot for such matters on either the Parks or Recreation. He stated his reason for resigning is that he does not have the time to do everything he should. The Directors get things done, but there are many things they are unable to do due to lack of time. One of the Recommended Objectives is , "Market the City through Parks and Recreation. " One could spend all of one ' s time doing nothing but that. Chairman Owens stated that he thinks the City has reached the point where we need two separate Advisory Boards for Parks and Recreation, and it will take quite a bit of change for that to happen. Chairman Owens asked the Board if they wished to appoint an Interim Chairman to serve at the next meeting, when there was a full Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, August 6 , 1984 Board present and elect officers at that time. After some discussion Chairman appointed Mrs . Helen Lightbody as acting chairman, Mr. Rod Ashford as vice chairman, and Mr. Marland Ernest as secretary to serve at the next regular meeting. VII. RECOGNITION OF YOUTH SPORTS ORGGANIZATIONS Mr. Darrell McBrayer, representing the Adult Soccer Association, announced that adults start practice on the 14th of August, and games on the 26th. Youth Soccer games start on Saturday 22nd of September. The adults and youths will co-ordinate the use oi'. West Park. Mr. McBrayer stated, as soon as , he gets the names of I ! the teams the will get them to Cheryl with a schedule. VIII . ABSENTEEISM Mr. Ernest made a motion that an attendance rule be set up whereby after three unreported absences a Board member will be requested to resign. Mr. Ashford seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs . Ashford, Ernest, and Owens . Nays: None. Chairman declared the motion carried. COMMENTS Mr. Ronald D. Couch, Euless citizen, complained that the dumpster near his home has not been emptied for over three weeks , and the stench is hardly bearable. Also, Mr. Couch complained about litter on the streets. He recommended maximum fines for littering, and placing receptacles at intersections as a means of partially relieving the situation. Chairman Owens stated that the Parks and Recreation Board could not take official action on the problem, but would refer it to the City Council . Mr. Ronald D. Couch lives at 2100 North Main Street, Euless , Texas 76039 . His telephone number is (817) 267-2143 . Chairman Owens remarked that he appreciated Mr. Couch ' s appearance at the meeting and invited him to attend any time . Chairman Owens asked the records to reflect that the Parks Department is not getting proper service on the dumpsters , and also, an interested citizen met with this committee with complaints which have been referred to the City Council. Page Six, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, August 6 , 1984 Mrs. McCormick stated that when the renewal comes up or when the proper time comes for taking bids for garbage collection that it is not easy to get bids on this service. Mr. Ernest stated that he has enjoyed working with Chairman Owens on the Committee for the past fourteen months, and was sorry he was not going to stay on the Committee . He suggested that Chairman Owens reconsider. Chairman Owens replied that he appreciated Mr. Ernest ' s remarks, but he feels like it is time to make a change. Mrs. Lightbody remarked that the Board could have used Chairman Owen ' s experience and background. Chairman Owens advised the Board that they could rely one Mr. Sustaire, Mr. Hart, and the Parks and Recreation staff for help and guidance, also, Mrs. McCormick is always present. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 45 P.M. t„ -)-21 A„ keit-7-z _4 a Chairman (/// Attes Y Note: The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board will be on September 10 , 1984 .