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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-14 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board February 14, 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 Mrs . Zella Stierwalt and Messrs . David Williams and Jay Theder. (Absent was Mrs . Jolly Rawlings) . Also in attendance were Parks and Recreation Director Frank Lindsey and recording secretary Denise Holden. VISITORS The visitors in attendance were Mrs . McCormick, Mrs . Beverly Bradford, Mr. Don Calhoun, Mr. Dan Burger and Mr. Larry Morgan. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Lindsey. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting dated January 24, 1977, were approved as written. I. PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Status of Kiddie Carr Park Grant Mr. Lindsey reported that the $20,000 grant for the development of Kiddie Carr Park has been approved by the Mayors ' Council. He stated that we wouldn't have access to the monies until June 1st, which would be too late to have facili- ties ready for this year's playground program. Mr. Lindsey said that he and Mrs . Wakeley and Mr. Morgan have been working on an alternate plan for this year' s Day Camp program. He stated that they hope to connect Kiddie Carr Park with Carr Park with a bridge built by the Park Department and use both parks and some make-shift facilities that the park crew can put in. Mr. Lindsey stated that the ground has been broken for a garden for the playground program and a rock fence has been built around it. He stated that the City' s Public • (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Feb. 14, 1977) Works Department is going to bring water into the Park, hopefully this will be a two-inch line so .that later the Park Department can irrigate. He also said the park crew plans to construct an amphi-theater with logs . Mr. Morgan stated that when the grant money is available, this theater would be expanded. He said they also have plans to put in some grills and picnic tables before this Summer. Mr. Theder asked if it would be possible to borrow some money from the General Fund for these facilities and pay it back when the money comes in. Mrs . McCormick stated that the grant still has to go through HUD before final approval is made. Mr. Lindsey stated that the alternate plans call for limited facilit:i.es at this site at this time so as not to interfere or jeopardize the grant application. Mr. Lindsey stated that he and various members of the department have visited day camp sites in the area. He said that these trips have helped them agree on carrying out a western theme in the development of Kiddie Carr Park. He said their particular interest on these outings was to look at different types of pavilions . Airport Soccer Land Mr. Lindsey reported that the contract for the lease of 22 acres of airport land for soccer fields has been finalized. Mr. Theder asked when would the Park Department get control of this land? Mr. Lindsey stated that Mr. Lynch is negotiating with the Airport :3oard concerning the crop. He further stated that he is :i.n the process of getting a topo- graphical map of this land to determine the extent of leveling necessary. Mr. Theder asked how the Park Department plans to water this area once grass seed has been sown. Mr. Lindsey stated that Mr. Burger, the City Gardener, has recommended to the Soccer Associa- tion that they wait a year to begin play on these fields in order to establish a good crop of grass . Mr. Morgan stated that to insure a good crop, depending solely on rain for irrigation, it was very important to plant it at the right time and give it plenty of time to take hold. (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, 2/14/77) Park Department Mr. Lindsey reported that the Park Department is working on re-fencing ballfield #2 at Midway. Mr. Morgan stated that they have had trouble with vandals loosening the poles before the concrete is set and have had to reset them three times . Mr. Lindsey stated that the Park Department is getting two new pick-ups . He said they will be trading in two of the pick-ups and keeping one of the old ones . Recreation Department Mr. Lindsey stated that registration for the next session of classes began February 14th. He said that some of the new classes this time are leather craft, handwriting analysis, couples corrective exercise and body building. Mr. Lindsey reported that the Recreation Department would be getting a van to be programmed mainly for senior citizens, but could be used also for the recreation programs . He said that a letter would be sent out to senior citizens in our City when various programs had been set up . Mrs . Stierwalt stated that the Council of Social Concerns has been trying to set up a similar program for the Senior Citizens , mainly through the support of the churches. She said she was sure they would probably like to meet with Mr. Lindsey concerning this program. Mrs . McCormick stated that the City was able to buy the recreation department a vehicle to be used for the senior citizens because the City' s ambulance contract did not cost as much as expected and programs for the elderly seemed to be closely related services . Mr. Calhoun stated that he was not sure exactly what the City had in mind concerning the purchase of a vehicle, but did know of a van that would fit this purpose and at a fairly reasonable price. Athletics Mr. Lindsey reportel that our department would be hosting Region IV' s T.A. 'y.F. Women' s Basketball tournament, February 19th, at the Community Building gym. Mr. Lindsey reported that approxi- mately 1000 had signed up for the Spring soccer season. Mr. Lindsey reported that a tennis court reservation plan would be going into effect this Sumner for Midway and Lakewood Tennis courts . He said signs would be posted (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, 2/14/77) with information on how to reserve these courts for a maximum of an hour and a half. Mr. Lindsey reported that a new heavy duty pool table has been installed at the Community Building. Mr. Lindsey stated that registration for a 6 feet and under basketball league was set for February 22nd. He also reported that the facilities in the weight room at the Community Building had been improved. He said a new bench press had been put in and that a body building class was being offered. Mr. Lindsey stated that a walking program for senior citizens and others was being set up and a recognition board would post members of 100 mile, or 200 mile clubs . Status of Lakewood Tennis Courts Mr. Lindsey reported that the weather has hampered the progress of this project. II. ORGANIZATION H.E.L.P. Mrs . Beverly Bradford said this organization was a youth organization that was coined H.E.L.P. by its members, which stands for Help Euless Lift Problems . She said the organization came about because of some of the problems her own teenagers and their friends have had in the Community and their desire to change their image and become involved con- structively in some part of the Community. Sne cited one n the problems, as an example, was communication win the police. She stated the group gathered at first with the i de J to ,_Ja.zize recreation activities, but have since decided in their meetings that they would like to be i n iol ed hi civic activities . She said they would like a place to meet of their own. At present she said they were meeting in a room at the Comunity Building. She also stated they would like to form a drug abuse counseling center for the metroplex. She said 3 !:'i vruld also like some civic responsibilities and would be willing to volu _eer their services in any way. Mrs . Bradford stated that they would like to host a concert for the Community and also hold '•ap sessions with various speakers invited to attend. She said " at sine ,,f these youths have had problems , but they want to change. They want to be made aware of what's available to them in the City, she said. Mrs . Bradford said she would like to see a program set up where youths who get traffic tickets can be allowed to work out their own fines . In the discussion that followed, the Board members and visitors present were in support of youths getting involved in the Community. (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Feb. 14, 1977) Mr. Williams stated that he didn ' t feel that this organization would have any trouble with cooperation of any department if they had people that wanted to work. Mrs. Stierwalt asked if the Sunshine House could be available to this group. Mrs. McCormick said that Officer Rick Griffin was working with some truants there. Mr. Theder stated that outside of furnishing a house, the Parks and Recreation Department would try help in any way they can. III . CARR PARK BEAUTIFICATION Mr. Lindsey introduced Larry Morgan, the Park Superintendent, and Dan Burger, the City Gardener. Mr. Theder asked Mr. Morgan and Mr. Burger what was needed at Carr Park to make it a beautiful area. Mr. Morgan said that any beautifica- tion plans would not be out of their reach if they had an irrigation system. Mr. Theder asked what happens if we were ever faced with a water shortage, similar to the one a couple of years ago? He said that the Park Department is usually the first one to be cut off. What about the beauty spots then; wouldn 't it be money wasted, he asked? Mr. Burger stated that they are aware of this possibility and that plans can be drawn up to go with plant materials that don 't require great amounts of water or they can plan to go with other things besides plant materials for color, but he did say that the main thing is to have water when you establish it. He stated that right now the only water in the park comes from one faucet on the side of the building. That is why, he said, that the trees that have been planted so far have been next to the building. Mr. Burger said that Carr Park is large enough to be a passive type park, where you don 't need to take children. He said that the direction they are planning to take is to plan for the jogging trail to maneuver people around the park. He said they plan to beautify around this trail . He stated that if we can move this way, that in the next couple of years, we will need a green house that, he said, he would like built in Carr Park and could be open to the public as kind of a show place. (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Parks and Recreation Board, Feb. 14, 1977) Mr. Morgan stated that if a water shortage is foreseen, he felt that they would be better prepared for it. He said alot of work has been done, especially in the flowerbeds, to insure successful plant growth. Mr. Burger stated that they also plan to use native plant materials that are adapted to this climate. Mr. Lindsey stated that the heart of this beautification plan is irrigation. Mr. Theder asked if they had a plan for irrigation drawn up in different phases of installation. Mr. Lindsey showed the Board members a map of an irrigation lay-out for Carr Park. Mr. Theder asked if a plan could be written up describing the irrigation plan in more detail and the different steps or phases to be taken. Mr. Burger asked the Board members if this was a valid plan; do you want to beautify Carr Park? Mr. Williams stated it was their job or responsibility to represent the citizens of Euless and to find out what they want and to pursue it if funds are available. He said that he always felt plans would be forth coming to beautify Carr Park. Mr. Lindsey stated that in the Recreation Survey, beautification was not an item listed on the questionnaire and no one has mentioned it, but he felt that this type of project is not some- thing the citizens ask for but are proud of when it 's there. Mr. Calhoun stated that most of the parks in Euless are designed for sports activities. He said we do not have a park fully developed where senior citizens or elderly families who are not interested in sports activities can go just to enjoy nature. Mrs. Bradford left at 9:25. Mr. Lindsey stated that the Park Depart- ment can install an irrigation system and save the City $4500 approximately. He stated that he estimates the cost of this project to be $9000. Mrs . Stierwalt made the motion that the Park and Recreation Board recommends to the City Council the expenditure of $9,000 from the capital improvement fund for an irriga- tion system at Carr Park. Mr. Theder seconded the motion and the vote was as follows : (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Feb. 14, 1977) Ayes : Mrs. Stierwalt, Mr. Theder, Mr. Williams. Nays : None The motion was declared carried. Mr. Theder stated that he would like the Board to get together and tour the parks and see their needs. He asked Mr. Burger and Mr. Morgan to list their needs and what they want. Mr. Burger and Mr. Morgan left at 9:50 p.m. IV. SCHOOL TENNIS Mr. Theder requested that this item be • tabled until the next meeting when Rev. Traster could be present. V. MIDWAY POOL BATH HOUSE Mr. Theder stated that at the present -- time they were studying what funds are available through what organi- zations for grant applications. He said they haven 't got the authori- zation to go ahead with a grant application requiring matching funds. He stated that what he needed to find out from the Board was if they still wanted to pursue this grant possibility. He stated that the major drawback to this idea was the time element involved. He said that even though the grant application deadline is July, it would be another year from then before final approval , in which case, this faci- lity wouldn 't be ready any earlier than the 1979 swim season. But, he said, if we go ahead with plans for a bath house at this time through the capital improvement funds, that would be the extent of what they could do with capital improvement funds until more bonds are retired, and this also would mean no available monies for an irrigation system for Carr Park. At the same time, he stated, it seemed foolish to him to spend the citizens money when there is a possibility of a grant.. In the discussion that followed, the Board members were in agreement that they should pursue the possibilities of a grant for the construction of Midway Pool Bathhouse. Mr. Theder stated that he would continue working on this project with Mr. Sustaire. Mr. Williams stated that it was 'his under- standing that the City has employed a person who works on grant applica- tions. He stated that because of the time element involved from start to finish on such projects that they should be looking ahead at future grant possibilities. (Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Feb. 14, 1977) VI . PARK SURVEY REVIEW Mr. Theder asked that this item be tabled because of the time, and be placed on next month 's agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. APPROVED: Chairman