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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-09-12 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board September 12 , 1983 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 7: 00 P.M. , September 12, 1983 , in the Council Chamber of the Euless Municipal Building by Chairman Billy Owens. Other members present were Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Kerry McCombs, Marland Ernest, and D. R. Hawthorne. Alternates Mrs. Brenda Ashford, and Mr. Ron Henson attended the meeting and served with the regular Board members. Also present were Recreation Coordinator Julia Wakeley, Parks Coordinator Bob Phillips, and Recording Secretary Ophelia Smith. VISITORS Visitors present were: Jim Hackett,B.E.S.A. , Jim Maxin, B.E.S.A. , Darrell McBrayer, Adult Soccer, Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick, Council, Rod Tyler and Felix Wong, Planning and Development, City of Euless. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Ron Henson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting on August 1 , 1983 , were apporved as written. I. APPOINTMENTS OF PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEMBERS AS LIAISONS TO SPECIAL PROJECTS Chairman Owens asked Board members to serve as liaisons to special projects as listed: 1 . Marland Ernest - Bear Creek Park - Lakewood Elementary Playground 2 . Helen Lightbody - West Park - Wilshire Elementary School Playground - Soccer Association 3 . D. R. Hawthorne - Euless Flag Football - Little Dribblers - Midway Park 4 . Bobby Baker - Simmons Community Center - Park Coordinator and Park Staff Liaison Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 5. Kerry McCombs - Civic Center - Recreation Coordinator and Recreation Staff Liaison 6 . Billy Owens - All school facilities 7. Ron Henson - Tennis Courts - Softball Slow Pitch 8 . Brenda Ashford - Median Strips - Girl' s Softball Board members agreed to serve their respective appointments. Chairman Owens responded to an inquiry by Mr. Ernest that notice of the appointments would be included in the Recreation program. Also, letters will be sent to chairpersons of the various sports associa- tions informing them of the appointments and requesting permission to attend their meetings. The purpose for the appointments is for better internal communication. Chairman Owens requested Board members to bring a report to each regular monthly meeting. II. BEAUTIFICATION SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE Chairman Owens stated he has been receiving calls regarding the beautification of Euless, especially the Civic Complex area. People admire the beautiful flowers, and the berm on Hwy 10 planted with the name "Euless. " Mrs. Wakeley stated citizens are responding to the insert in the Recreation program indicating their interest in certain areas of beautification. III. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED OPEN SPACE AREA - PARK HILL ADDITION Rod Tyler, of the Planning and Development Department, reviewed the plat of the Park Hill Addition to the City of Euless, located next to Marlene and Westpark Way, with specific interest to the parcel of land consisting of approximately 1. 4 acres which the developer proposes to present to the City of Euless for a park or an open space area. The parcel of land lies totally within the 100 year flood plain of Little Hurricane Creek. It is heavily wooded and has some very large trees on the site. It is adjacent to a drainage ditch along Marlene Drive. Chairman Owens inquired why the cut-back on lot 12 . Mr. Tyler replied the developer generally followed the 100 year flood plane. Mr. Hawthorne inquired what future plans are for the property south of Park Hill Addition. Mr. Tyler replied the zoning was multi-family near existing apartments, open space area in the flood • Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12, 1983 -- plane, and single family residences. Mr. Hawthorne commented that unless the Parks Department made a path along the creek it could not connect to West Park and would become and individual park. He stated the smallest park Euless has , excluding school play grounds, is four (4) acres. He questioned just how much of a park could be built in 1 . 4 acres. He stated he thinks it would be a forfeit. He pointed out access to the park would be difficult, and questioned if the City should maintain the park to serve so small a neighborhood. Mr. Hawthorne asked what could be placed in the park. Mr. Phillips answered the park would accommodate a nice set of wooden playground equipment. Chairman Owens stated that even with the seventy foot (70 ' ) channel the creek floods over the banks. Mr. Hawthorne stated that if the area were made into a park, it would have to be fenced. The water gets deep and is swift after a storm, and children would need to be protected. Chairman Owens inquired if the developer were willing to donate $15, 000 to $20. 000 to develop the park. Mr. Tyler stated that if the City does not accept the property, the developer would be required to draw up a perpetual maint- enance agreement on it. Mr. Hawthorne remarked if this becomes a rather isolated park, it could become a place for people to hang out. Mr. Henson inquired if the land is good enough for a park. Mr. Tyler replied at present it would be suitable for a Tot Park with play ground equipment. Euless does not have a Tot Park. Mr. Tyler pointed out the developer has designated the area as Open Space. If it is called a park it remains a park. As Open Space the City can see what happens to the south. If the area to the south is dedicated as a park, then the City may want to dedicate this area as a park. If the City accepts the area as Open Space the City owns and maintains it, and can use it to the City' s best advantage. Mr. Henson inquired if the Parks Department has sufficient manpower to maintain the area. Mr. Phillips replied that he does not have sufficient manpower at present, but he hopes to employ additional help next year to help with the present work load, and maintain new areas . Chairman Owens inquired how the developer would benefit by dedicating the area to the City. Mr. Tyler replied he is giving away something, therefore, does not have to pay taxes on the property, and he does not have to maintain it forever. Chairman Owens stated that if the developer dedicated this piece of property to the City, his capital expenditure drops also, and he would get another tax break. Mrs. Lightbody inquired by what criteria the Parks and Recreation Board acquires park land. Chairman Owens responded the • Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 -- Master Plan of the Parks was drawn up in 1976, and was then worked into the City' s Future Land Use Plan. Recently City planners have begun updating the Parks and Recreation Land Usage Plan. It is a guideline the Board has been working under since 1976. Mr. Tyler stated the Parks and Recreation Board' s recommen- dations regarding this particular lot will go the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission will send them to the City Council along with their recommendations regarding the plat. Mr. McCombs asked what the cost would be to equip the park as a Toddler park? Mr. Phillips replied he would like to see the developer donate $4 , 000 to $5,000 for playground equipment. Mr. Ernest requested Mr. Phillips state his proposal regarding the area. Mr. Phillips replied, if the developer will donate play ground equipment, and install a water outlet, the area could serve the families nearby. Mr. Phillips stated it would require approximately one hour ever other week to maintain the area. Chairman Owens stated if the Parks Department could obtain lots 12 and 14 that would make a nice size park, but stated 1.4 acres is rather small . Mr. Tyler replied to an inquiry by Mr. McCombs regarding the area south of proposed Open Space fifty (50) to sixty (60) homes could be built making approximately one hundred (100) homes for the area to serve. Mr. Henson inquired if we have other areas in the City where we have small strips of land that cannot be developed, if so, what has the City experienced with such areas. Mr. Phillips replied the City has Blessing Branch Park which is quite narrow in places. The Parks Department has cleared the property, planted grass, and he has contacted the developer to ask for a donation of play ground equipment. Mr. Tyler pointed out that there is another small Open Space area between Twin Creek Addition and South Euless Park. Mrs. Ashford stated that she is concerned about the safety of the children in a flood plane area. Also, she stated she is concerned about the play ground equipment in an area that might be flooded. Mrs. Ashford asked if it would be a good investment, even though the developer might place the play ground equipment in the area, since it is a flood plane area. Mrs. Ashford stated she thinks it would be an attractive nuisance. Mr. Henson stated that he did not see that it would be an asset to the City, and inquired if it would be less expensive to accept the area for City property or less expensive to reject it. Mr. Ernest made the motion that the Parks and Recreation Board accept the 1 . 4 acres Park Hill Addition proposed Open Space area with the stipulation that the developer donate $5 , 000 for play ground equipment, and extend water to the area. Also, the developer must do minimum amount of ground work in preparation for use of land. Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 Mr. Hawthorne seconded the motion. Mr. Henson inquired if the developer refused to donate monies for play ground equipment would the Parks and Recreation Board still accept the land. Mr. Phillips replied the property would be of no value without the play ground equipment. Chairman Owens stated unless all the motion is fulfilled, it is a rejection. Ayes: Messrs. McCombs, Hawthorne, Ernest, Henson, and Mrs. Ashford. Nays: Mrs. Lightbody, and Chairman Owens. Mrs. Lightbody stated the reason she voted negatively she could see where there would be a lot of requests such as this , and she does not think the City can financially handle small Open Space areas. She stated that she thinks it is the responsibility of the homeoweners adjacent to those properties. Chairman Owens stated his objection to the situation is that he feels we have bent over backward with all developers in the City in acquiring land in sizeable chunks for parks, and have asked that when land was offered as a park that it be large enough to do something with. Chairman Owens stated all the developers west of Hwy 157 have been real nice in talking about it, but we still have not gotten the coopera- tion that we have needed, as far as he is concerned as an individual only, from the developers in that section of the City to provide the people that they are bringing into the City with their developments the correct amount of footage for parks to the number of people they are bringing into the City. Chairman Owens stated until we can do that we are doing nothing but overloading the City, and making the people coming in work at a disadvantage, because all the parks are in areas they are unable to reach or attend. Chairman Owens Declared the motion carried. IV. PARKS COORDINATOR' S REPORT Mr. Phillips stated the area around the Beautification Sign entering Euless from the south has been landscaped with white lantana. The grounds have been landscaped at the house on Sheppard Drive now being used as an office for ambulance service. Plants were used from the greenhouse. The house has been treated to guard against termites. The retaining wall in Bear Creek Park has been replaced. The crossties had begun to shift. Part of a cyclone fence in Kiddie Carr Park has been replaced. The fence was damaged by a drunken driver. Two new nets have been installed at Bear Creek tennis courts. • Page Six, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 A large Ficus which was propagated and grown in the City greenhouse was taken up and planted in a large container and placed in the Community Building lobby. Mowing continues in all parks, City Complex, well lots, Public Works barn, soccer fields, right-of-ways, Service Center, Fire Stations, Hwy 157, and Hwy 10 median strips. Mr. Phillips stated to maintain Hwy 157, and Hwy 10 median strips cpmparable to the parks would require two additional employees. Mr. Phillips stated the reason the median strips look so good this year is he has a crew that works 120 per cent. Chairman Owens commented that the parks look good, especially the area around the Gazebo. Mrs. Lightbody inquired about the crape myrtles the Parks Department planted this year. Mr. Phillips replied that about 70 per cent were used in the landscape and the others are being held in the plant nursery. He stated the crew will be removing more crape myrtles from another nursery and transplanting them in the Euless landscape. V. RECREATION COORDINATOR' S REPORT Mrs. Wakeley commented she was pleased to have Mr. McCombs as a liaison between the Board and the Recreation Department, and was looking forward to working with him. Mrs. Wakeley stated the Recreation Department has a new young lady at the Community Building. Her name is Cheryl Jones . Ms. Jones has a degree in recreation. Her husband is in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We expect to have Ms. Jones for three years or perhaps longer if her husband gets a church here. The Recreation Department offered forty-four classes this session with twenty-four different varieties, and had a seven per cent increase in participation. Mrs. Wakeley stated we have bridge lessons on Monday night, with approximately four tables each session. Tuesday night there is party bridge with an average of seven tables. Thursday night we have duplicate bridge play with an average of eleven tables. This is each week. The square dancers meet two Saturdays each month, and they -- have square dance lessons on Tuesday each week, and that class varies. We could probable add another hundred people to our total participation. The H.E.B. Hospital wants to use the gymnasium twice a week for therapeutic purposes for some of their patients. We are in a low Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 time now, and are agreeing to this set up. They will be bringing in their own instructors, and will just use gym space. This will take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Mrs. Wakeley stated there are twelve leagues signed up for softball this season with ninety-eight teams, fifteen participants each team, which makes an average of 1, 470 persons involved in the Fall Softball program. Mrs. Wakeley stated Doug Rose, Athletic Supervisor, is working on a Racquetball league. Plans are to use Bear Creek Racquet- ball courts during the hours from 9: 00 A.M. to 2: 00 P.M. , which is non-- prime time. The cost will be $2 .50 per hour per participant. The cost is based on twice a week. For a six weeks league it would be approxim- ately $30 . 00 for court time. There will be another charge of $5 . 00 for trophies. We plan to start a league for City employees during the lunch and add some of the citizens to that league. The Senior Citizens will be making a field trip in October. They will have their monthly luncheon the last Thursday of the month. If any of you have the time, try to drop by Simmons Center to meet with them. They like to meet people. We have leased the Simmons Center to a church group for three months, and housing their piano and organ. For storing their piano six - days a week the Seniors may use it for sing-a-longs. We are trying to offer a program for our employees through the Metroplex Recreation Council of which we are a member. Through this organization we can get discount tickets to commercial recreation areas. Atrip to Six Flags will be coming up on September 16 . The park will be closed to the public and open only for M.R.C. members. Mrs. Wakeley stated the Recreation Department has discount tickets to Sesame Place. Also, we will get discount tickets to sports events . Chairman Owens commended the Staff on the current Recreation program. VI . REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL PERSONS Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick remarked that the State Highway Department has been working with the City for the continuation of Hwy 360 , and she stated that representatives from the Highway Depart- ment have said that the City of Euless has more clout than the Highway Department. Mayor Pro Tem Tillie Mae McCormick stated plans are to continue Cheek-Sparger Road to the D/FW Airport. Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12 , 1983 VII. SPORTS COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Jim Hackett, B.E.S.A. , stated the City of Bedford is building two fields for soccer use. The fields will not be lighted and no sprinkler system, so it is unlikely the grass will make it through next summer. The fields will be ready the Fall of 1984. Mr. Hackett stated the Northeast Community Hospital has graciously paid an enormous amount of money to the contractor who is building the Doctor' s Building to clear the land for the three soccer fields we are going to have there. Those fields will have a pernament sprinkler system installed. They will be available next Fall . The Fall of 1984 looks promising from Bedford. Mr. Hackett stated there is a Bond Election coming up in Bedford, and one of the items on the Bond Election is an appropiation for one of the items in the Budget to be approved for parks development. Things are looking pretty fair in that direction. Mr. Hackett stated they were vandalized in August. The culprit shot two rounds through the door of the building and on through the popcorn machine. Really messed things up. Mr. Hackett introduced Mr. Jim Macin, B.E.S.A. , who is the new Field Director for the Soccer Association. COMMENTS The Board members _agreed to._meet. at-Simmons Center at 6 : 00 P.M. , for a tour of the parks on October 3, 1983, the next regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Parks and Recreation Board, the meeting adjourned at 9 : 40 P.M.Af-12Zr1-- 0' hairman , Of