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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-14 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board March 14, 1977 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by Chairman Jay Theder at 7:50 P. M. in the conference room of the Euless City Hall. Members present were Mesdms . Zella Stierwalt and Jolly Rawlings ; Messrs. Jay Theder and Elden Traster. (Absent was Mr. David Williams) . 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 Mrs . Julia Wakeley. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Frank Lindsey. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting dated February 14, 1977, were approved as written. I. PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Lakewood Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey reported that work has begun on the Lakewood tennis courts . He said forms have been layed and concrete was being poured. Mr. Lindsey stated that the work is being closely inspected every step of the way and that they seem to be doing extremely well. Parks Department Mr. Lindsey stated that Mr. Morgan and his crew have done a considerable amount of work in improving and beautifying the play area in Midway park. He said that they have put in some concrete benches and have done alot of rock work. Mr. Lindsey reported that seven new picnic tables have been installed at Carr Park and Midway. He said the park crew plans to gradually replace the wooden tables with aluminum ones. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks and Rec. Board, March 14, 1977) Mr. Lindsey stated that the irrigation of ballfields #1 and #2 at Midway has been completed. Mr. Lindsey reported that the Park department has hired their first girl as a part-time laborer. He said she was hired mainly to work the flower beds. He said that Susie Kilmer is working out real well. Mr. Lindsey stated that the grounds maintenance crew has been busy cleaning up the grounds preparing them for the growing season. Mr. Lindsey reported that the park crew has nearly completed putting up windscreens at the tennis courts in Midway Park. Kiddie Carr Park Mr. Lindsey stated that the park crew built a rustic-looking foot bridge in Kiddie Carr Park. Mrs. Wakeley stated that they hoped to design the facilities at Kiddie Carr Park around a western theme. She said the special education class at the HEB Career Center is building an 8' x 8' general store as the first -- step in the construction of a western town for the Summer Day Camp program. H.E.L.P. The youth organization coined H.E.L.P. (Help Euless Lift Problems) met Saturday, March 5th at Midway Park and did a considerable amount of work for the park department, Mr. Lindsey said. Mr. Theder asked that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent to this organization for their help. Athletics Mr. Lindsey reported that the soccer season was well underway with 1000 participants . He said that approximately 100 people have shown an interest in the tennis league. He reported that the 6 foot and under basketball league would be finishing their season in another week. He also said that the Men's and Women's softball leagues would be starting April 11th. He stated that Ken Oler, the Athletic Supervisor, was doing a splendid job in organizing the athletic programs. He said Friday nights at the Community Building gym have been reserved for volleyball for anyone interested. Mr. Lindsey also mentioned that Mr. Lynch was in charge of getting the soccer land leveled. (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, March 14, 1977) Recreation program Mr. Lindsey reported that a new class in conversational French would be starting up next week at the Simmons Center. UTILIZATION OF CITY BUS Mrs. Wakeley reported that the City has advertised for bids for a bus that will seat twenty-five. She said this will mainly be used for our senior citizens. She said the recreation department is planning a program for the senior citizens that will provide bus service for various activities. She said she plans to design a many-to-few dial-a-bus program. Hopefully, she said, we can divide the City in three or four sections and offer services such as trips to the grocery store, Northeast Mall, etc. to the senior citizens in certain areas on certain days . She said the many-to-few plan means many people to a few places and they need to call for this service. She said they plan to remain flexible and not set too many policies at first, but cross each bridge when it comes. She said the specifications also include reclining seats which would be especially nice for longer trips . Mrs . Wakeley also stated that the recreation department would be able to use the bus for their Summer program and special events . She said the driver would be a part of our staff. Mr. Theder asked if this bus program could be mentioned in the Mayor's next newsletter. Mr. Lindsey said that when the program is set up and we get the bus we will try to get newspaper coverage too. He thanked Mrs . McCormick who he said was very instrumental in getting this bus for the senior citizens . III. SCHOOL TENNIS PROGRAM Rev. Traster stated that the H.E.B. School Board voted to allow the City to light the four courts that were not topped with layco some time ago. He said that he had TP&L run a cost estimate based on last year's usage to determine the estimated cost per hour for operating two different types of lighting. He said they estimated that it would cost approximately $1.01 per hour to operate two courts with twelve 1500 watt quartz fixtures and $ .27 per hour with twelve 400 watt mercury vapor fixtures. Looking at the specifications for Lakewood tennis courts, he said they have estimated the cost of lighting at around $9,000. Mr.Lindsey stated that they were still working on deciding just what kind of lighting they would (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, March 14, 1977) be putting in at Lakewood. Mr. Theder asked Rev. Traster if we had the money, would he recommend lighting the courts at the high school or look into constructing a tennis center. Rev. Traster stated that if someone donated the land and we had matching funds, then he would possibly consider recommending a tennis center, but felt that the best way to go, when money is available, would be through the schools. He said there would be alot of things to consider but alot of possibilities too. Mr. Lindsey stated that Ken Oler had met with Mr. Schultz at a school meeting where Mr. Schultz told him that he had nothing but praise for the City of Euless because of the cooperation they have given them. Mr. Theder stated that with good planning and cooperation with the schools the City will save money. IV. PARK SURVEY Mr. Theder went over the latest tabulations of the Park survey, which was sent out in the Mayor's newsletter some time ago, asking the citizens what they wanted in the City in regards to parks and recreation. He said that item 1 on the survey was more jogging and bike trails. He said that a jogging trail was put in at Carr Park and at Midway. He also said there are plans to build one in Bear Creek Park and one in the second phase of West Park. He listed the tennis center next and said that since the survey Wilshire has been resurfaced and construction of the Lakewood courts is underway. He said there are plans to build four in Bear Creek. Archery and rifle ranges were also listed on the survey he said, but nothing has been done in this area as of late. More parks and larger parks, he said, were other items listed and the City has since received Kiddie Carr Park and also the Bear Creek Park, in addition to the airport soccer land. The golf course was another item listed that Mr. Theder stated he would like to see the City pursue. Mr. Theder mentioned the other items listed on the survey and requested that the latest tabulated survey be sent to each of the Board members. (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, March 14, 1977) V. BEAR CREEK PARK Mr. Theder reported that delays in the grant have come about over disputes on the amount and value of the land depending on the sizes of channelization, but that the Board in the meantime should be taking a closer look at the plans for facilities the City has in mind for .Bear Creek Park. He also asked if each member had received their copy of the breakdown of capital improvement funds from Mr. Sustaire. He said with this information, it was essential that they wait and see how the grant comes out before they recommend anymore expenditures from this fund. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr. Theder suggested that the Board be thinking about planning some special meetings in the future. He said he would like the Eoard to meet with the Council and also with the School Board or representatives . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. APPROVED: Chairman