Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-07-09 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Board July 9, 1979 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Chairman Don Calhoun. Other members present were Mr. Billy Owens; Mesdms. Zella Stierwalt, and Sherry Kachel . (Absent was Mr. Jay Heilman.) Also present were Park and Recreation Coordinator Larry Morgan and Recording Secretary Maurine Butler. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were Mr. Bob Phillips and Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Chairman Don Calhoun. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated June 11 , 1979, were approved as written. PARK AND RECREATION COORDINATOR' S REPORT PARKS Mr. Morgan introduced Mr. Bob Phillips, Parks Superintendent, and stated he would give a report on the parks. Mr. Phillips stated the Park Department has 8 full time men employed, 4 high school boys working part time, and 2 boys employed through the CETA program. Mr. Phillips stated they have reduced the number of hours spent on mowing because of the fuel situation; the regular mowing schedule is 280 hours per week and this will be reduced to 160 hours. He stated the Park Department is responsible for maintenance of the parks; mowing of right-of-ways, well lots, alleyways; visibility at street crossings; general clean up of streets, and keeping the grass cut around fire hydrants. He stated the Public Works Department has been responsible for mowing some of the right-of-ways but this has been given to the Parks Department. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) Mr. Owens inquired how the Park Department inherited this mowing? Mr. Morgan stated it is not unusual for the park department to maintain right-of-ways and well lots and it is done in other cities. He stated they did have about 7 miles of right-of-ways to maintain and approximately 18 miles have been added and keeping them mowed is quite an undertaking. Mrs. Kachel inquired about the alleyways. Mr. Morgan stated there are three alleyways located around Midway Park. Mr. Phillips stated these are actually drainage ditches that are located between houses and people drive on them. Mr. Phillips stated the lights have been installed on the municipal grounds and on the large berm which faces Spur 350. He stated a representative from the City of Irving is coming to look at the berm to see how the plants are planted to spell "Euless". He stated they are interested in using this type of design in their city. Mr. Phillips stated vandalism is still a problem in the parks and is costing a lot of money for repairs. He stated recently paint was poured on the windshield and hood, and in the carburetor of one of the park trucks. He stated they are unable to keep one of the restrooms in Midway Park in repair. He stated this restroom should have vandal proof plumbing facilities installed but the money is not in the budget at this time. Mr. Morgan stated this restroom was built by the Euless Athletic Association several years ago and residential type plumbing was installed. He stated this restroom has been repaired many times and is now unrepairable and because of the unsanitary conditions, it has been closed and the door locked. Mrs. Stierwalt stated she is beginning her fifth year on the Park and Recreation Board, and all of this time the restrooms at Midway Park have been a problem and should have priority. Mr. Morgan stated the picnic tables in South Euless Park have received damage and have been taken to the shop for repairs. Mr. Phillips stated portions of the green- house have been received and grade work has been started. He stated the greenhouse will be an educational place to bring children and will be avail - able for adults and garden clubs. Mr. Phillips stated they have 12,000 Japanese Ligustrum plants in one gallon containers; these can be transplanted (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) and will grow to be large shrubs that can be used as a wind screen for tennis courts and to screen out areas such as the apartment complex located near Kiddie Carr Park. Mr. Phillips stated installation of the barbed wire fence in Little Bear Creek Park has been completed. Chairman Calhoun commended Mr. Phillips on the parks, and grounds around the municipal buildings. RECREATION Mr. Morgan stated Day Camp is going well , with all classes filled. He stated the bridge class has been very successful . He stated there is a proposal to form a bridge club and collect $1 .00 from each player to pay for cards, tables and refreshments, and the balance donated to the Park and Recreation Fund. He stated if there is enough interest, this activity could move to the Community Building. ATHLETICS Mr. Morgan stated baseball and softball are coming to a close with playoff games in the leagues and in the Euless Athletic Association. Mr. Morgan stated a new session in junior tennis will begin in the fall and the adult classes are growing. Mr. Morgan stated they have a very good coach from Trinity High School working with track and field and they are winning almost every meet they enter. The track and field program is self- sustaining and they furnish their own transportation to the meets. Mr. Morgan stated Euless was the host for the first swim meet of the season and there have been meets each weekend in other cities in the area. Mr. Morgan stated they have received very few complaints in the athletic and recreation programs this year and it is due to the fine staff they have. He stated they also have a very good group of young people working at the pools. He stated these young people have a great responsibility and Euless is very fortunate to not have had a drowning. II . RECREATION FEES Chairman Calhoun requested that Mr. Morgan furnish each board member a list of the recreation activities and the fees being charged and at the next regular meeting, a study be made to increase some of the fees. (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) Mr. Morgan stated the activities and fees were listed on the summer recreation program. III . PARK AND RECREATION FUND Chairman Calhoun stated the Park and Recreation Board met recently with the City Council and one of the items discussed was the addition of $1 .00 or a specified amount to the citizen' s water bill , which would be a donation to the "Park and Recreation Fund". He stated if the citizen did not wish to contribute to this fund, the amount would be deducted from the bill . Mrs. Kachel stated the citizens might have different interests as to where they would want their donation to go. Chairman Calhoun stated at the joint meeting, it was suggested to call it a "Community Betterment Fund". He stated the money is needed by the Park and Recreation Department for main- tenance and repairs that are not in the budget, but perhaps there should be a place on the water bill for the citizen to check in the event they want their donation to go to a "Library Fund", "Park and Recreation Fund" , or some other fund. Mr. Owens stated when you go to the citizens for support on a program like this, it should be clear and definitely stated where the money is going, and the timing to begin the program should be right. He stated at this season of the year, utilities are high and water bills are above normal . Mr. Owens stated recently he talked with a citizen to get his opinion on the proposed "Park and Recreation Fund" and told him the gym was getting in bad shape and the city could use some help from the people. He stated the citizen stated he had been contributing to that program through the "Little Dribblers". He stated people do not realize the city does not receive any of the money given to the "Little Dribblers" and the other organizations. Mrs. McCormick stated it was discussed at one time to have four different categories; police, fire, library, and park and recreation, and let the citizen have a choice. However, it was decided that by dividing into categories, none of the departments would receive enough money from the donations to help. Mr. Owens stated if this program goes into effect, the people will be expecting some results, such as the plumbing repaired at Midway Park. Mr. Morgan inquired if anyone knew the amount of money Bedford is receiving from the citizens for their park and recreation fund? (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) Mrs. McCormick stated she had heard several different amounts but did not know which is correct. She stated North Richland Hills receives donations in this manner also. Mrs. Stierwalt suggested contacting Bedford and North Richland Hills and look into how it is working in these cities. Chairman Calhoun stated the board should act soon and get information for the next Mayor' s newsletter. He stated the type of information needed from these cities is when were the programs started - spring, summer or fall , type of advertising, how program was presented to citizens, response, population of city or number of water connections, and the amount of the donation, $.50 or $1 .00. Mrs. Stierwalt stated she would contact the City of Bedford. Mrs. Kachel stated she would contact the City of North Richland Hills. Chairman Calhoun stated he would check to see if other cities in the area have this program, and would call the City of Colleyville. IV. STEERING COMMITTEE Chairman Calhoun stated the organization of a Steering Committee was discussed at the meeting with the City Council . He stated this committee should be composed of citizens of all ages in different geographical areas of the city; a group representative of the citizens and their needs. He stated the number of people to serve on the committee has not been determined . Mrs. Stierwalt stated in her opinion people should not be appointed but should be people who volunteer and are willing to serve, also should have more on the committee than are actually needed because some will agree to serve but will not be active. Mr. Owens made a motion that a Steering Committee of a cross section of the community be established to get some input for various activities in Euless. Mrs. Stierwalt seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mr. Owens, Mrs. Stierwalt, Mr. Calhoun, and Mrs. Kachel Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) V. PARK AND RECREATION BOARD PARTICIPATION IN "TRAPS" AND NORTH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SEMINAR Chairman Calhoun stated Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) is a new organization and one of its functions is to help educate members of boards and commissions. He stated he would like to have more information on this organization. Mr. Morgan stated this is a new organization and they need active membership. He stated he would like to see the Euless Park and Recreation Board active in TRAPS and STRAPS which is the student organization. He stated there will be a national convention in New Orleans in October and there will be speakers from all over the United States. Mrs. Kachel stated she will be attending a realtor convention in New Orleans in October and may be able to attend the TRAPS convention, if the dates are the same. Chairman Calhoun inquired if a member of the Steering Committee could join TRAPS? Mr. Morgan stated he did not know. Mr. Morgan stated he would have more information at the next regular meeting and will invite a staff member from the City of Arlington, who is a member of TRAPS and is more knowledgeable on this organization. Chairman Calhoun stated North Texas State University has a training seminar and he requested Mr. Morgan to get information on this and give a report at the next regular meeting. He stated the City Manager advised there are funds in the budget for membership in organizations and seminars. Mr. Morgan stated North Texas State University has different types of seminars; for boards, and for park and recreation personnel . The cost for a seminar is $350. VI . LAKEWOOD TENNIS COURTS Chairman Calhoun stated he may have the answer to why the Lakewood tennis courts are not used more. He stated recently a lady came to his house and inquired if the tennis courts are the property of the townhouses which are located near the courts, or do they belong to the city. She stated there is no sign. (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) Chairman Calhoun stated this may have been confusing to other people since the townhouse private swimming pool and clubhouse are nearby. He stated a sign should be erected stating the tennis courts belong to the city, and he believes play on these courts will increase. Mr. Morgan stated he will have a sign made and placed there. VII . LIGHTS ON JOGGING TRAIL AT CARR PARK Mr. Owens inquired if there had been any more consideration given to lighting the jogging trail at Carr Park? He stated there is a lot of activity there after dark and a lot of children play there unsupervised, and he is afraid someone will get hurt. Mr. Morgan stated the latest information he has is that new lights are being installed on the City Hall grounds and the old lights will be installed at Carr Park on the jogging trail . Chairman Calhoun requested Mr. Morgan to check on this and bring a report to the next regular meeting. VIII . COMMENTS Mrs. Kachel inquired if the greenhouse would be a good project for senior citizens. She stated some senior citizens live in apartments and do not have a yard. Mr. Phillips stated when construction of the greenhouse is completed, possibly some projects or activities can be planned for senior citizens. Mr. Morgan stated the greenhouse will have a porch on the front, large enough for people to meet and visit. He stated the greenhouse will be an ideal place for garden clubs and senior citizens. Mr. Morgan stated the State Health Department inspected the pool at South Euless this date and all facilities passed. He stated these are spot inspections and had the inspector gone to the Midway Park pool , it would most certainly have been closed. He stated there are many problems at the Midway pool ; the plumbing in the restrooms does not work properly, there was an algae problem that took three weeks to clear up, the framing on the pump room is so bad you cannot hang a door on it and there is no way to secure it. This is where the paint is kept that the vandals got into. He stated a new filter system has been installed and one of the pipes underneath the pool was replaced last year. The remaining pipes are probably rusty and need to be replaced. He stated it may be that we will lose this particular part of our recreation and there are a lot of children in the Midway Park area. (Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, July 9, 1979) IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. APPROVED: ,Pcp-ry Chairman