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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-03-05 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board March 5, 1984 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , March 5 , 1984 , in the Council Chamber of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Billy Owens. Other members present were Messrs. Marland Ernest, D. R. Hawthorne, Kerry McCombs, and Mrs. Helen Lightbody. Alternate Board members Mrs. Brenda Ashford, and Mr. Ron Henson attended the meeting. 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, Ms . Joann Thomas, and Ms. Nan Arnold of Crow Development Co. , and Mr. Jim Hackett, B.E.S .A. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Ron Henson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated February 6 , 1984 , were approved with the following correction requested by Mrs . Lightbody: Page One, Paragraph Ten, Line Two; change the zoning "MS" to "MF" . I. CROW DEVELOPMENT COMPANY GREENBELT REVIEW Chairman Owens introduced Ms. Nan Arnold, landscape director, with Crow Development Company, who reviewed the plans for the Bear Creek McCormick Sub-division Greenbelt. Ms . Arnold stated the area is a twelve (12) acre tract on the south of McCormick Sub-division. Crow Development Company will develop four (4) acres, and present- the City with a complete Master Plan of the entire Greenbelt. The park is heavily landscaped and irrigated. It includes a large grove of pecan trees that Mrs. McCormick planted years ago. There is a high rail fence of wrought iron that runs the full length of the development separat- ing the Sub-division and park. It has no gate and access to the park must be made from the main entrance. Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 5, 1984 "" Ms. Arnold showed pictures of the gazebo, light fixtures, and colorful walkways in the landscaped area. Ms. Arnold stated that some up-lighting will be in- stalled in the pecan trees to give the green space more depth. Ms. Arnold stated that the City Engineer is presently doing an in-depth study of the park regarding flood control which will be completed in about two weeks. When this has been completed Crow Development Company will continue development according to what the study reveals. Mrs. Lightbody inquired if there were plans for a dedication of the park. Ms. Thomas replied that a formal dedication is being planned, but no definite date has been set. Chairman Owens stated that the Board supports the dedication of the Greenbelt designated for a park to the City of Euless by Crow Development Company at the earliest possible date. Mr. Henson made the motion to accept the invitation of the Crow Development Company to participate in the dedication and opening of the Greenbelt of the McCormick Sub-division, and encourage the City Council and operating project engineers to press for an opening on the earliest possible date. Mrs. Ashford seconded the motion and the vote was: Ayes: Mmes. Lightbody, Ashford, Messrs . McCombs , Hawthorne, Henson, and Ernest Nays: None Chairman Owens declared the motion carried. Chairman Owens stated the Greenbelt Area in the Crow Development Company Sub-division was referred to as "Willie Mae McCormick Park" to designate the area only. The Greenbelt Area will be dedicated as a park and named at a later date. II. SUB-COMMITTEE' S PROJECT REPORTS Chairman Owens reported that the playground equipment at the schools is one-hundred percent in order. Mr. Henson reported that twelve (12) lights are working at South Euless Park tennis courts. He stated that all lights have been replaced and the court has been restripped at Euless Jr. High and looks very good. Mr. Phillips explained that the electricians are waiting for the Baseball Association to furnish a truck and assist with Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 5 , 1984 repairs on the lights at Midway Park ballfields. Mr. Phillips stated that repairs on lights at the tennis courts will be made at that time, while they have use of the truck to reach the fixtures. Mrs. Ashford reported that the Parks Department has planted fifteen (15) or twenty (20) cedar elm trees in the median strip at Central Jr. High between Pipeline and Hwy. 10 . Mrs. Ashford stated that she attended the meeting of the Euless Girl' s Softball Association on February 29th. She stated that the Girl ' s Softball Association has presented the Recreation office with a set of by-laws, a list of officers and other informa- tion needed on file. The Girl ' s Softball season begins on May 1st. Mrs . Ashford stated that the Euless Girl ' s Softball Association will be awarding a scholarship this year. Mr. Ernest reported that he had met with the Boy' s Baseball Association. He stated that they have been having meetings regularly for some time making ready for the up-coming season. Mr. Ernest stated that he has received a copy of the Boy' s Baseball Association by-laws, and was amazed with the size of the organization, and the many activities taking place. Mr. Ernest stated that the Boy' s Baseball Association Jamboree has been tentatively set for the last week-end of April. Mr. Hawthorne reported that Midway Park and the Harwood Soccer fields are in good shape. Mr. Hawthorne stated that the Soccer Association appreciates the work done on the soccer fields by the Parks Depart- ment. He stated that they do a good job in keeping them in shape. Mrs. Lightbody reported that the development in the City of Bedford is doing a lot of grading on the outskirts of West Park. Mrs . Lightbody stated that she had attended a meeting with the Soccer Association. They are busy making preparation for the Spring season. III . SUB-COMMITTEE' S WORK SESSION REPORT Mr. McCombs made the motion to accept the recommendation of Recreation Director Julia Wakeley of having an analysis determine the true cost of a program, and adopt the method of a sliding scale when setting fees. Mr. Hawthorne seconded the motion. After some discussion Mr. Ernest moved to amend the motion Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 5 , 1984 that the formula for determining fees by sliding scale be applied to the structured classes with instructors only. Mrs. Lightbody seconded the motion. Chairman Owens declared the motion carried by eighty- three percent. After some discussion Mr. McCombs made a motion to charge for scheduled activities in the gazabos within the City. When the facility has been reserved a sign should be posted stating date and time of reservation. A permanent sign should be placed on the facility stating that the premise is available for reservation on a first come, first serve basis. Mr. Hawthorne seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs. Ernest, Hawthorne, and McCombs Nays: Mrs. Ashford, and Mr. Henson Chairman Owens declared the motion carried. Mr. Ernest made a motion to require a fee of $30 . 00 , three (3) hour minimum, for reservation of scheduled events in the gazebos, and a $20 . 00 deposit refundable if premise cleaned up to the approval of employee in charge. Mr. McCombs seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody, Messrs. Ernest, Henson, and McCombs Nays: Mrs. Ashford Abstain: Mr. Hawthorne Chairman Owens declared the motion carried. IV. RECOGNITION OF COUNCILPERSONS Mrs. McCormick stated that the City Council had a work session with Department Heads on March 3rd. She stated this was an informative meeting. Each Department Head gave an idea of what they will need with the expected population growth which will be beneficial to the Council in setting priorities when planning the Budget. V. RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTEER SPORTS ORGANIZATION' S CHAIRMEN Mr. Jim Hackett reported that Spring registration of Youth Soccer was about equal to that of last Fall . Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 5 , 1984 Mr. Hackett stated soccer registration is down nationally about 20% percent. Chairman Owens inquired if perhaps the fee structure could be the reason for a slowing down in number of participants. Mr. Hackett replied that the fees are high, but the Association has been making up for some lost time along that line, and will go into Fall registration with the same fee structure they had in the Spring. Mr. Hackett stated the Soccer Association will have an election of officers the later part of this month. New officers will be elected for one half of the Board. Mr. Hackett stated the Soccer Association has declined to enter into a legal contract with the City of Bedford and the William C. Martin Methodist Church for the development of the soccer fields in Bedford, as they were in opposition with the Contract Agreement. VI. PARK DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips reported that the Concessions Building and Storage Room in Midway Park has been completed. A concrete sidewalk has been poured in front of the Huffman Tree Park on North Ector Drive. At the South Euless Annex nine (9) yards of concrete has been poured for a walkway for children to walk into the park from the new housing area. All exercise stations, rest areas, and trash receptacles along the jogging trail have been painted in J. A. Carr Park. Eight employees from the Parks Department attended the Toro Irrigation Seminar on February 10th. The new Eager Beaver Chipper is now in use. Chips are being used as mulch around trees, and as decorative dressing in flower beds. A new flower bed has been prepared in the Civic Center Complex, and has been planted with 600 canna bulbs (pink, yellow, and red) . Seventy trees were removed from a construction site and placed in various parks and median strips. Page Six, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, March 5 , 1984 VII. RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley reported that approximately 366 participants played bridge during the month of February at Simmons Center. The Recreation Department has had 460 registrants for the Spring Session. This session will be for seven weeks. There are twenty-nine classes in a variety of subjects such as Pre-School, Tap & Ballet, Aerobics, Jasserobics, Ladies Exercise, Senior Exercise, Karate, Baton, Tumbling, Adult Oils, Tole Painting, Western Dance, and Bridge. The Senior Citizens had a large turn-out for their covered dish luncheon on February 23rd. The Athletic Department is offering fourteen leagues in softball this Spring. There has been good response from a Friday A.M. Industrial league that is being offered for the first time this year. Approximately 1 , 890 ball players will be involved in this sport, 393 umpire involvement, and approximately 4 , 000 spectators. Mrs. Wakeley stated that Cheryl Jones is now acting Athletic Supervisor. Chairman Owens appointed Mr. Marland Ernest to serve on the Long Range Planning Sub-Committee for land usage and future needs with Mrs. Helen Lightbody and Mr. D.R. Hawthorne. Chairman Owens announced that Mrs. Lightbody has three adjoining lots on Signet Drive that are available for ball practice fields . ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 40 P.M. tt �- '- Chairm4n Secretary