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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-12 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board September 12, 1977 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by Chairman Jay Theder at 7:45 P.M. in the conference room of the Euless City Hall. Members present were Mesdms . Jolly Rawlings and Zella Stierwalt; Messrs . Jay Theder, Eldon Traster, David Williams, and Don Calhoun. Also in attendance were Parks and Recreation Director Frank Lindsey and recording secretary Denise Holden. VISITORS The visitors in attendance were Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick and Julia Wakeley. • INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Lindsey. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting dated June 13, 1977 were approved as written. I. PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Swimming Pool Report Mr. Lindsey passed out a compari- son of revenue and attendance with last year's pool operation. (see attached copy) He stated that figures were short of last year's totals, but the season was also shorter. He reported that on the last monthly budget report, the pools had $9,162.00 left and if added to the total ticket revenue would total to $32,176.18, making the actual expense for pool operation this year $13, 144. Mr. Lindsey stated that this was the least in the red we have been operating the pools in a number of years. If you figure the revenue and attendance together, he said each swimmer swam for about 22 . Fall Recreation Class Report Mrs . Wakeley stated that we had, at this time, 136 kids registered and 123 adults . She reported that this is the first time in the past year that we haven't (Pa e Two, Re ular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Sept. 12, 1977) charged additional fees for non-residents, although non-resident sign-ups have been few so far. She said the most popular adult class was CPR (cardio-pulmonary resusitation) being taught through the Red Cross. She said, new classes this session that were going over well are plant care, adult and children's pottery and babysitting safety. The most popular children's class, she said, is gymnastics . Mrs Wakeley stated that registration would continue through this week. Mr. Lindsey stated that the non- resident additional fee was hurting the program more than helping. Mrs . Wakeley stated that Euless residents are given priority over non-residents, but sometimes when sign-ups for a particular class are low, acouple of non- residents would make the difference whether the class would make or not, but few non-residents were willing to pay 50% more. Mrs. Wakeley reported that the Senior Citizens group has asked to meet every Thursday now instead • of just twice a month. She said that that they were planning to go out to lunch this Thursday using the new bus. Mr. Theder asked if the senior citizens had anymore out of town trips planned? Mrs . Wakeley said that she was informed that our insurance did not cover trips out of town. Mr. Theder asked she and Mr. Lindsey if they could check -on spot coverage for long trips. Rev. Traster stated that his Church groups were able to obtain this type of coverage through Mutual of Indiana. Mrs. McCormick stated that she thought if the company was a mutual, a municipality could not parti- cipate. Mrs. Rawlings asked that if it was understood that each individual had their own coverage and chose to waiver this responsibility could they? Rev. Traster stated that in theory you can, but in actuality you can't. Lakewood Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey stated that at present the lights at Lakewood were not hooked up yet. He said that he had (Page Three, Regular Meetin , Parks & Rec. Board, Sea t. 12, 1977) been informed that this involved getting the City Inspector, the Contractor and a representative from TP&L together at the same time to decide what is to be wired and then TP&L would be able , to put in the line. Athletic Report Mr. Lindsey reported that the Ladies Softball league had twenty-six teams participating. He said this was a joint effort between Hurst and Euless with all three cities participating. Mr. Lindsey stated that the Men's softball league was composed of 18 teams . He reported that 100 kids were involved in flag football with each elementary school having a team represented. He reported that 1200 participants were registered for soccer with sixty percent of these being Euless residents. He said that this year Hurst is furnishing five game fields and Euless three. In addition, he stated we have two women's soccer teams and one men's team. Mr. Lindsey reported that the sign-ups for the 6 foot and under basketball league was still underway, the tennis league has 100 participants and over 30 people have signed up for the walking and jogging program. Mr. Lindsey passed out a summary of the athletic participation from January 1, to July 1, 1977. See attached copy. Status of Harwood athletic fields Mr. Lindsey stated that these were the soccer fields on the airport land. He reported that this land has been leveled and it has been sowed with Bermuda seed. He said the plans are to let this rest a year to insure a good root system on the grass. Status of Kiddie Carr Park Grant Mr. Lindsey reported that he has been informed that the money is there for the asking, but the hold up is available manpower. Right now, he said, we are waiting for the end of the growing season so manpower can be assigned to this project. Maintenance of Lights on School Property Mr. Lindsey stated that the City has installed and maintained lights on the School district's Trinity and Central bailfields for a number of years. He stated (Page Four, Regular Meetin , Parks & Rec. Board, Sept. 12, 1977) that it was suggested that a policy be drawn up stating that each party be responsible for the maintenance of these lights and facilities during their time of usage. Mr. Lindsey reported that Mr. Hoot Smith called to his attention that the School District was mowing and irrigating these fields and suggested that this be �-- equal compensation for the City maintaining the lights. Mr. Lindsey stated that this was agreeable to the City and that this agreement would be made in writing. Wilshire Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey stated that he had received a copy of the letter written by Assistant City Manager, John Lynch to the contractor responsible for the asphalt overlay of these courts. Mrs. Rawlings read the letter to the Board which did state the City's dissatisfaction with the quality of work done on this job and the City's settlement. Mr. Lindsey stated that even though the courts were worse off than before the overlay, he had received relatively few complaints. II. -- STATUS OF BEAR CREEK GRANT Mr. Theder stated that he had talked with the City Manager who said that the hold up has been in acquiring the deeds to three pieces of property. He said Mr. Sustaire mentioned that it might be possible to have two of these in the next thirty days, but until they are procurred no action can be taken. III. STATUS OF PARKS AND RECREATION PERSONNEL Mr. Theder asked if each one of the Board members had received a letter, dated June 22nd from the City Manager concerning the re-alignment of duties in the Parks and Recreation Department. He summarized its contents by stating that Mr. Lindsey would be Director of Recreation and Mr. Morgan would be Parks Superintendent under Mr. John Lynch, effective October 1st. He said the reason given was to alleviate some of Mr. Lindsey's duties for health reasons. Mr. Theder stated that he had looked into other cities and reported that they have found that it doesn't work without one head over both areas and personally he felt Mr. Lindsey's status should stand as Parks and Recreation Director. In the discussion that followed, it concerned the Park Board, particularly the newer members, why (Page Five, Rezular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, Sept. 12, 1977) the Board was not used more as a sounding board in this matter and were informed of this major change by letter instead of a personal meeting. Rev. Traster stated that alot of questions remain unanswered as far as the Board is concerned, but he reminded the members that under the structure of the City -- government that each Board was merely set up as a policy making group. He said they can make recommendations but they don't have to be listened to and we have no power to go any further and furthe crnore the City Manager has complete jurisdiction to re- align the duties of said departments if he so desires. In the discussion that followed, it was the feelings of the Board that because it was on the re- commendation of the Park and Recreation Board that the position of a Parks and Recreation Director be created and their personal recommendation that it be filled by Mr. Lindsey that this matter should have been handled differently. • Mr. Calhoun requested that he be given the chain of command in writing so he could better under- stand some of the things that go on in the City. Mr. Theder summed up the discussion by saying it was hard for him to understand why they would be splitting the department when you could look back over the last four or so years and see where we were without a director and where we are today and the progress this department has made under Frank Lindsey's direction. Mr. Theder said he still had the highest regard for Mr. Sustaire as chief administrator for this City and felt we have come along way under his direction and really felt that on his part this was an honest mistake, but he would still do everything he can to convince him he's wrong in this decision. IV. PREPARATION FOR MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL Mr. Theder reminded each Board member that the Park and Recreation Board would be meeting at Dunston Steak House on September 27, 1977, at 6:00 with the City Council prior to their regular meeting. He said he would like to give the Mayor and agenda of topics that the Board would like to discuss. The remainder of the meeting was spent compiling this list which Mr. Theder stated he would write up for the Mayor and City Council members before their meeting date. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M. APPROVED: _ Chairman �`�