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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-09-11 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Board September 11 , 1978 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Board was called to order at 7:45 p.m. , in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Chairman Don Calhoun. Other members present were Messrs. Billy Owens, Winn Porter, and Mrs. Zella Stierwalt. (Absent was Mrs. Jolly Rawlings. ) Also present were Park and Recreation Coordinator Larry Morgan and Recording Secretary Maurine Butler. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were Messrs. Hershel Lindley, Lynn Shackelford, City Manager W. M. Sustaire and Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Billy Owens. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Porter made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated August 14, 1978, as written. Mr. Owens seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Porter, Owens, Calhoun, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. Chairman Calhoun stated he would like to reverse the order of the agenda and begin with the review of the Little Bear Creek Community Park property, in order that guests present may leave if they do not wish to stay for the entire meeting. Mr. Owens made a motion to dispense with the order of the agenda. Mr. Porter seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Owens, Porter, Calhoun, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) REVIEW OF LITTLE BEAR CREEK COMMUNITY PARK PROPERTY Mr. Lynn Shackelford, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager, stated among other duties he has been helping Mr. Morgan with the Park and Recreation Department. Mr. Shackelford stated the City now has all the property for the Little Bear Creek Community Park and the staff has reviewed the Master Plan and Phase I of the plan. We need to go back to Austin with the plan for final approval and get the park on the ground. He introduced Mr. Hershel Lindley of Schrickel , Rollins & Associates, Inc. , planners of the park. Mr. Lindley stated in planning the park, they have taken into consideration past minutes of the Park and Recreation Board, discussions of the City Council , staff input, the application as approved by the Texas Parks and wildlife Department and those funds which are allocated and approved in that application and the private development occurr- ing around the park, which is very important in this case. Mr. Lindley stated the park abutts an existing paved street on the east end but access to the park from the west end will have to be made by a temporary roadway. Additionally, sewer and water and electrical power to run the park facilities are needed. He stated that he had been working with the engineer who is preparing the engineering plans for adjacent sub-divisions in trying to ascertain how, with the fewest dollars possible, we can gain access to sewer and water and reduce the cost to the city as it relates to off-site improvements. Mr. Lindley stated the overall concept of the park indicates thirteen (13) tennis courts, five (5) handball courts, a pro shop, parking for the tennis center, parking for the picnic area, softball field for men, bleachers, irrigation systems, playground, a pavilion, restroom, and a bicycle and jogging trail . Mr. Lindley stated in Phase I of the plan they propose to develop a playground with picnic tables and cookers in the eastern area. The bicycle and jogging trail would cross the creek to make available an access to the northern portion of the park so the park department as they have funds, time and equipment available can come in and clear areas to develop open space grassed areas for soccer practice and other activities. The bicycle and jogging trail is extended to the western portion of the park which includes the softball field, soccer field, picnic area, tennis court, parking, pavilion with storage and restroom. We have connected both improve- ments, the east and west, with the proposed bicycle trail and jogging trail . It appears at this time, this will be a marginal thing as to whether we have enough money to do this at this time. In the event we do not, we have brought the hike and bike trail down to the first phase of Trail Lake Addition which is presently being engineered. If we can' t make the connection with a hard surface bicycle trail we could come in and create a hogback road out of dirt and grass, that kids could use as a trail and that is open and dry relatively (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) soon after a rain. We could use this as an option. Concrete is extremely high now and we don' t know how much money we will have for the jogging and bicycle trail . We feel like based upon the input of the Park Board, the Council and staff, it has a lower priority than the softball field, tennis courts, pavilion, restroom and open space. These facilities we would design and develop cost estimates and the bicycle and jogging trail may be an add alternate to the contract. Mr. Lindley stated originally there was an indication for a pressbox. Due to the cost of concrete they recommend building an elevated seating area for a press box so that those people who are keeping score and announcing are seated above the play area and have protection and a place for their equipment. Also, they recommend eliminating the restroom on the eastern end of the park or delaying the construction until the tennis center is built. Mr. Lindley stated in conclusion as approved and submitted by the City of Euless, the utilities are funded, roads and parking are funded, pavilion . with a restroom and storage area, lighted tennis courts, playground, hike and bike trail , athletic field, picnic stations, a couple of foot bridges, drinking fountains, bleachers, landscaping and earth work are funded. We will have to get funds for the temporary access road into the park. Mr. Porter inquired if there would not be a street or drive completely around the park? Mr. Lindley stated the possibility of getting a complete circle is not even a consideration at this time, the most we can hope for is a linkage bicycle trail from one end to the other. Mr. Porter asked what is the cost of the press box per square foot? Mr. Lindley stated a masonry building with roof will run in excess of $25.00 to $30.00 per square foot. Mr. Porter asked the distance from the tennis court to the pavilion. Mr. Lindley stated the distance is less than one-half mile. The restroom that we propose is in the vicinity to serve the tennis courts, softball field and pavilion. The playground portion is a neighborhood park and a restroom there is not in the plans. Chairman Calhoun stated that he noted the plan shows the jogging trail and bicycle path to be completely around the park. Mr. Lindley stated the jogging trail will be parallel to the bicycle trail and in the initital phase we propose to develop a jogging trail to consist basically of athletic grass as used on (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) football fields and high enough that the water would run off. Later you might want to go to the sawdust, however, the grass will stand a lot of activity. Mr. Owens asked the total length of the jogging trail . Mr. Lindley stated the total length is 6100 feet which is slightly over a mile. The first phase of construction in the application did not include a jogging trail . It does include a hike and bike trail which is a hard surface trail , to be constructed of asphalt or concrete. This is not to say that we can' t have the jogging trail , we can have the grass there. Mr. Shackelford stated it is not feasible to put bark or any kind of loose material on the jogging trail in this particular park as we have a tremendous water problem. When Bear Creek Estates begins to develop and there is a drainage access, we can extend from Baze Drive and get into the north edge of the park. Chairman Calhoun inquired if after we are into Phase II of the park, can we go back and add something to Phase I that was left out. Mr. Lindley stated yes, changes can be made to meet the needs. Chairman Calhoun stated he questioned whether the City of Euless needs the two tennis courts at this time. He stated he did not feel that the tennis courts in the other parks were being utilized and had rather see the two tennis courts eliminated and put in a later phase and have the one-half mile jogging trail . The jogging trail was the number one priority in the citizen survey. Mr. Porter asked the cost of the park and how much the grant will be? Mr. Shackelford stated we have a construction cost of $344,000. and the grant is one-half of the cost. Mr. Owens stated that he agreed, we need a jogging trail , but with the study that has been put into the plans, he thought the board should stay with the plan and work out the jogging trail later. He stated that it was his opinion the developers of the surrounding property would move fast and access to the park would be available soon. Mr. Sustaire stated we have to put some kind of tennis facilities there to meet the requirements of the grant. The lighting of the tennis court can be left off to a later date without going back to Austin, but if the tennis courts are left off, there would be a 60 or possibly 90 day delay. (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) Chairman Calhoun asked if there were any more questions or discussion; there was none. Mr. Porter made a motion that Phase I. of the Little Bear Creek Community Park be approved as presented. Chairman Calhoun stated he would like to have an amendment to the motion to drop one tennis court and the lighting and add the one-half mile jogging trail . Mr. Owens inquired how much more preliminary work is there. Mr. Shackelford stated if the plan is approved by everybody concerned, the final Master Plan will be sent to Austin. We are hoping to advertise for bids by the first of November, let contracts by December and have the park in by next season or mid 1979. Chairman Calhoun inquired how much delay would there be with the deleting of the tennis courts and the lighting. Mr. Lindley stated there would be no delay there. They send a budget summary and the money can be moved around. However, we have sent an application and stated that everything on the r.. application is needed and if a change is made, they will want to know why we don't need the tennis courts, and possibly will question the whole application. Mr. Sustaire stated we are trying to gain experience waterwise. If $45,000. or $50,000. is spent on a jogging trail and it washes away, our money is gone and we would not have a jogging trail . Chairman Calhoun stated he would like the first add alternate to include the jogging trail and the second add alternate include the tennis court and lighting. This would give an option and you may not have to delete the tennis court and lighting. Mr. Owens seconded the motion to approve the plan as presented. The vote on Mr. Porter' s motion is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Porter, Owens, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: Mr. Calhoun Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. Chairman Calhoun stated he was not against the plan but his recommendation was to have the add alternate for the half mile looped jogging trail , but it was not in the motion. (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) PARK AND RECREATION COORDINATOR' S REPORT RECREATION PROGRAM Mr. Morgan stated the recreation program is in the registration period at this time and 4800 mailouts with the fall schedule were sent to Euless citizens. The mailout had a new design, hoping to attract more attention to the classes. PARK PROGRAM Mr. Morgan stated the park is in the regular maintenance of grounds. Some plants were donated by the First Baptist Church and will be planted around the Public Safety Building and the Fire Department office. Mr. Morgan stated they received permission from the City of Arlington to go into their parks and take cuttings from plant materials that we do not have in Euless. We potted 5,663 cuttings at a cost of four cents each, total cost $226.52. The wholesale price of these plants is $2.00 and a year from now when they are in the one gallon size, the price would be $11 ,326. The plants are being kept in the greenhouse area. ATHLETIC PROGRAM Mr. Morgan stated the six foot and under basketball program will start September 28th and the tennis league will begin September 18th. Mr. Owens made a motion to accept the Park and Recreation Coordinator' s report. Mr. Porter seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Owens, Porter, Calhoun, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. III . CONSIDER DATE FOR TOURING CITY PARKS Mr. Porter made a motion for members to meet at the next regular meeting, October 9, 6:00 p.m. , to have dinner and tour the city parks. (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Park and Recreation Board, September 11 , 1978) Mr. Owens seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Porter, Owens, Calhoun, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. IV. CONSIDERATION OF ASSIGNMENT OF BOARD MEMBER TO AREAS OF PARK AND RECREATION Chairman Calhoun made a motion to table the assignment of board members to areas of park and recreation until the next regular meeting. Mr. Owens seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Chairman Calhoun, Messrs. Owens, Porter, and Mrs. Stierwalt Nays: None Chairman Calhoun declared the motion carried. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9: 10 p.m. hairman