Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-13 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board October 13, 1976 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by Chairman Jay Theder at 8:00 P. M. in the conference room of the Euless City Hall. Members present were Mesdms. Jolly Rawlings and Zella Stierwalt and Mr. David Williams. (Absent were Mr. Olin Steele and The Reverend Elden Traster.) Also present were Parks and Recreation Director, Frank Lindsey and recording secretary, Denise Holden. VISITORS The visitor in attendance was Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Lindsey. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting dated September 13, 1976, were approved as written. I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT *See attached copy. II. LAKEWOOD TENNIS COURTS Mr. Theder asked Mrs. McCormick if she detected a change in attitude from the citizenry after the second petition came in, on the location of tennis courts at Lakewood Elementary. Mrs. McCormick stated that some misunderstandings were cleared up, but what upset her the most was the misunderstanding by some that the Council and the Park Board were at odds, which was not the case. She stated that the Council had decided to table the Lakewood tennis courts because of too many unanswered questions on the part of the citizenry as to the location and usage of the facility. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Oct. 13, 1976) Mrs . Rawlings stated that she had talked to some of those people directly opposed to tennis courts at Lakewood and said she was amazed at all the wild notions and misunderstandings of the facts, but felt she had successfully cleared up most of these by talking with them and that some admitted then that they were wrong. Mr. Lindsey passed out information sheets itemizing the cost of construction for the Lakewood Tennis courts and also showing some changes in construction that could reduce the cost. Mr. Theder stated that he and Mr. Lindsey had met with Mr. Herschel Lindly and asked him to itemize the costs and also to recommend possible cost reductions. He then went over each change item. *see attached copy In regards to item 1, he said if they can go through the proper channels to move the tennis courts five feet north, they will eliminate a drainage problem and thus can remove the concrete wall, item 2. In regards to item 4, he said part of the fencing on the sides of the courts can be reduced in heighth. Mr. Theder said that in reviewing this with Rev. Traster, our tennis expert, he recommended that if reductions in cost need to be made that we consider deleting items 1, 2, 4 and 5, but not 3 and 6. Mr. Lindsey stated that Mr. Lindly said that the prices quoted on this cost sheet were the highest expected prices and that he expected bid prices to be somewhat lower. Mr. Theder stated that what we want is good basic construction and not frills. Mrs. Rawlings stated that from a player's standpoint, the items mentioned as possible cost reduc- tions were not frills. Specifically speaking, she said all ages and all skills need the higher fences . Shorter fences she said would be just giving up part of the game. Mrs. Rawlings asked if the plans included a practice board? Mr. Lindsey stated that they didn't because this too meant additional monies and an extra brace for reinforcement. (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, October 13, 1976) Mrs. Rawlings emphasized that this too was taking away from the possible maximum use of this facility. She said there was no better teaching aid and time saver than a practice board, which could be used by the school and recreation tennis classes, in addition to the citizens. She asked if it needed the extra brace and if Mr. Lindsey could look into the cost of a practice board. Mr. Lindsey stated we probably could get by without extra reinforcement at first, but down the road we would see the need. He further stated that this item might be able to be added at a later date. Mr. Williams stated that our main objective should be to get this item back to the City Council. HO asked if the reason we are discussing it further was to lower the cost. Mr. Theder stated that no one had asked them to reduce the cost, but that his feeling about it was that the cost figure was high. Mrs. McCormick stated that the Council did not table this item because of the cost but because of the unanswered questions on the site location and usage. She did state that she felt that because its usage was limited to a certain percentage of citizens--those who played tennis, from this standpoint, it did look high. Mrs. Rawlings stated that yes, a certain percentage of the citizens would use this facility, but we should be looking at it from the standpoint that as compared to other athletics, tennis was a life time sport, not subject to seasons and could benefit all ages. Mrs . Rawlings moved that we submit the plans for the Lakewood Tennis courts as is to the City Council for their approval. Mr. Williams seconded the motion but the Board decided to retract the motion following the discussion. In the discussion, Mr. Theder stated that by this recommendation the Board was not showing an interest in saving money and that it was the Board's responsi- '1 bility to make possible cost reduction recommendations if it was felt changes needed to be made to save money. Mr. Williams made the motion that the Park Board submit to the Council for their approval, the plans for construction of the Lakewood tennis courts at $38,477, with the recommendation that if the cost has to be reduced, to remove items 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the attached sheet. (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Rec. Board, Oct. 13, 1976) Mrs. Stierwalt seconded the motion and the vote was as follows : Ayes : Mrs. Stierwalt, Mrs. Rawlings, Mr. Williams and Mr. Theder. Nays : None The motion carried. Mr. Theder asked Mrs. Rawlings to go to the Council meeting to explain the Board's recommenda- tions . Mr. Theder stated that because of a time factor, items III, VI, and VII on the agenda would be tabled until the next meeting. IV. CARR PARK IRRIGATION Mr. Lindsey stated that he had been looking at two automatic irrigation systems to irrigate the eight acres at Carr Park. He said Goldthwaites had the Toro head that they used at West Park and T and C Equipment had the Rainbow head. He said that both cost estimates came in around $8,000 for the parts and $4,000 for installation. Mr. Theder stated that he liked the bigger Rainbow head because it can withstand heavy usage and also heavy equipment. He asked if it would be possible for the park crew to install the irrigation system? Mrs. Stierwalt asked if the Parks department was able to maintain the government manpower? Mr. Lindsey stated that he still did not know the status on whether or not they would be keeping the manpower supplied by the manpower office, but did say, with- out extra help that the park crew would be unable to do many of the extra projects that were planned. It was recommended that this be tabled until the next meeting at which time we would know more about the status of the government employees. V. FACILITIES FOR KIDDIE CARR PARK Mr. Lindsey stated that the facilities proposed for this park were listed in the Director's (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, Oct. 13, 1976) report. *See attached copy. He said that plans for the park are to move the recreation playground program from the schools to this central location next summer. The rental of the school buildings cost the City near $800 last Summer Mr. Lindsey said. He stated that most of the facilities being planned will be built by the park crew, but stated he hoped they could keep the three government employees so they could get to this project before next summer. Mr. Theder asked Mr. Lindsey how much. the proposed facilities would cost? Mr. Lindsey said that some had been budgeted for this year, like the restrooms which would be on a rental contract and also the shelter, but the others he felt would not exceed four or five thousand if the park crew did most of it. He also said that Mr. Bullard has indicated that they might be able to help on the parking spaces. It was recommended that the facilities be done in steps, so we won't have to contract the work and thus could save money. Mr. Theder made the motion that the Park Board recommends to the City Council that they authorize their approval of $2900 to be taken from the Capital Improvement y-- fund for the construction of facilities at Kiddie Carr Park. Mrs. Rawlings seconded the motion and the vote was as follows : Ayes : Mrs. Rawlings, Mrs. Stierwalt, Mr. Theder and Mr. Williams. Nays : None The motion carried. Mr. Theder requested that the consideration of grant projects and approval of a recreation master plan, in addition to the items tabled on the agenda (new baseball field, tennis center, Midway pool bathhouse) , be items on the next agenda. He also suggested that the Board try to work in two meetings for November. Mrs. Rawlings suggested that at one of these meetings, they plan a tour of the parks and facilities. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p .m. APPROVED: f h i rmaTl