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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-09 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board May 9, 1977 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by Chairman Jay Theder at 7 :40 P. M. in the conference room of the Euless City Hall. Members , present were Mesdms . Jolly Rawlings and Zella Stierwalt; Messrs . Jay Theder, and Don Calhoun. Rev. Traster arrived at 8:30 P. M. (Absent was Mr. David Williams) . Also in attendance were Parks and Recreation Director Frank Lindsey and Recording Secretary Denise Holden. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Lindsey. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meetings dated March 14, and April 25, were approved as written. I. PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Midway Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey listed the improvements that have been made to the courts at Midway. He reported that wind screens, nylon nets, a 10' fence and a practice board have been put up . He also stated that new benches and a decorative waste receptacle had been put in. The only improvement yet to be completed is re-surfacing and he stated that this material was in and would be completed as soon as the park crew could scriedule it in. Mr. Theder asked what kind and how much would this resurfacing cost? Mr. Lindsey stated that this material was similar to layco and had been used in Bedford and Farmer's Branch. He said it cost $1,000. He stated that these improvements have made the Midway courts first class tennis courts . Lakewood Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey stated that Mr. Lynch had informed him that the City will accept the Lakewood tennis courts as is next week so play can begin. They still need to be (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, May 9, 1977) lined and the concrete treated, but he said this will be completed soon. The hold up he said, has been the delay in the shipment of the electrical fixtures . Park Department Mr. Lindsey reported that the park crew has hopefully corrected the drainage problem on the extreme south and west section of the jogging trail by building LID the embankment and putting some drainage pipe in. Mr. Lindsey stated that the Park Department has gotten all the ballfields ready for play. Mr. Theder asked the Board if they had noticed how many im ,romptu baseball fields had sprung up since the start of little league and girls softball. Mr. Calhoun pointed out some of the dangerous situations he had noticed because of balls going into the street and hoped a ruling could be set ur) to protect the kids. Mr. Theder stated that he would get with Mr. Lindsey and look into finding safer practice fields for next season. Mr. Lindsey reported that irri- gation around the sundial site has been installed. Mr. Theder stated that the Civic Center complex was as nice looking as any other he had seen and wanted to commend Mr. Burger and the rest of the park crew for the fine work. He also stated that he would like Mr. Lindsey to commend the bark crew on how well Midway park looks. Mr. Lindsey stated that park usage has had a tremendous increase. Swimming Program Mr. Lindsey reported that lesson and season passes are now on sale at the Simmons Recreation Center. He said lesson passes are $6.00 for two weeks of lessons and season •asses are $15 for the first family member, $12. 50 for the second, $10 for the third, with a maximun of $50 per family. Mr. Lindsey reported that the schools are scheduling swimming parties at the pools the week prior to official opening. Mr. Theder stated that when the pools were being built, it was hoped the schools would use them (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks E. Recreation Board, May 9, 1977) the month of May for some kind of swimming program, but somehow it never came about. Mrs . Stierwalt stated that just in her dealings with swimming parties and specific principals, she stated she felt that part of the problem might be in insurance liability. She said South Euless students cannot use the pool until after school is out for this reason. Mr. Theder asked Mrs . Stierwalt to look into the possibilities and limitations of a school swimming grogram for next year. Summer Program Mr. Lindsey ieported that Mrs. Wakeley has enthused everyone in the Department about the Summer Day Camp . He said she is in the process of finalizing her staff and the program for the Day Camp at Kiddie Carr Park. The Summer Recreation program of activities is at the printer and will soon be mailed out to the residents, Mr. Lindsey said. Senior Citizen' s bus Mr. Lindsey reported that the Senior Citizens are planning a trip to Canyon, Texas, to the Palo Dura activities. He said they expect the bus to come in any day now. II. BUDGET REVIEW Mr. Theder stated that he had talked with Mr. Sustaire and asked him if cuts needed to and were made in the Park budget, if he would meet with the Board and could they recommend where these cuts be made. Mr. Theder stated that the City Manager had agreed to co this. He stated that Mr. Sustaire also said even if some budget items were cut, they could be added when and if funds were made available during the year. Mr. Theder stated that at their last meeting he had requested that Mr. Lindsey survey other Park and Recreation departments for a comparison )f salaries for their key personnel. Mr. Lindsey reported that the Park Superintendent in Hurst makes $1100 a month, and in Irving between $1154-$1477 a month as compared to our $930 a month. (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, May 9, 1977) He said the Recreation Superintendent and Athletic Superintendent in Hurst makes $1100 a month, and in Irving between $879-$1126 a month, as compared to our Recreation Superintendent sho makes $873 a month and our Athletic Superintendent who makes $713 a month. It was the concensus of the Board and of utmost importance to them that the key people in the department be recommended for salary increases. They felt the City would be saving money in the long run; that it should be a top priority and was as vital as park land. They acknowledged the fact that the bigger cities have bigger salaries and that we needed to be realistic in our thinking that we will not be able to hold these people forever in a town of 25,000, but hoped their salaries could be comparable to neighboring cities in the metroplex. In the remaining general budget discussion, Mr. Theder stated that one area where he would like to see gigantic improvements made would be in West Euless Park. He said he would like to see playground equipment installed, beautification to the grass area at the entrance to the park, in general, more development to the south side of the creek. He stated that he felt this park drew just as many people as Midway in the Summer months and with soccer in the Spring and Fall, attendance was good nearly all year around. Mr. Theder asked the Board members to review their copies of the budget and if they had any questions they could bring them up at the next meeting. III. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Theder had asked the Board at the previous meeting to be thinking in what areas they would like to see capital improvements made. He said he had five area which were Carr Park irrigation, Midway park improvements, phase II de;elopment at West Park, a tennis center either with the schools or our own, and an archery and rifle range. He said that he had no .preference or priority to these items except the Carr Park irrigation. Mr. Calhoun stated he would like to see im ,rovements .made to the handball courts. He said most people are not even aware that the City has these available. He stated he would also like to see improvements made to the. restroom facilities at Midway. Mrs. Rawlings stated park land acquisition was her number one priority. Mrs . Stierwalt stated that she went along with all the suggestions made, but would really like to see irrigation at Carr Park. (Page Five, _Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, My 9, 1977) In the remainder of the discussion on capital improvements, it was the consensus of the Board that work should begin now on plans for future projects because of the time involved in grant applications and the like. Mr. Theder stated that on the next agenda, besides budget review and election of officers, maybe they could be thinking about a meeting with the Council to discuss some of these capital im-,rovement projects . Mr. Theder asked Rev. Traster if he could get a general cost estimate on a tennis center. IV. BEAR CREEK PROJECT Mr. Theder stated that he had talked with the City Manager who related to him that the Bear Creek grant is having some final modifications made and should be ready in 60-90 days . Mr. Theder stated that he mad asked Mr. Sustaire if the Board could neet with the engineer and discuss what kind of facilities would be going in. He said that Mr. Sustaire said this would be fine. Mr. Theder stated that possi- bly Mr. Schrickel could come to one of the Park Board meetings . He said that the bids would probably go out in mid-July or August with final completion not expected until a year from this Fall. ADJOURNMENT The secretary left at 10 :40 P.M. Approved: Chairman �`-