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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-04-17 Regular Meeting Park and Recreation Committee April 17, 1972 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Euless Park and Recreation Committee was called to order at 8: 15 P. M. in the Conference Room of Euless City Hall , with Vice Chairman Jay Theder presiding. Members present are listed as follows: Mesdms. Carolyn Griffin and Joy Langston; Messrs. Ivan Gregory and Cullen McNair. (Absent was Mr. Charles Hunt. ) Also present were Councilman Frank Douglass, Messrs. W. J. "Doc" Hyde, Frank Lindsey, Park and Rec- reation Director, Bill Ratliff, City's Consulting Engineer, and Dr. Bill Pyburn, Biologist at the University of Texas at Arlington and Recording Secretary Della Houy. WEST PARK WAY Mr. Theder stated the Committee would like to recommend to the City Council the rerouting of the proposed Westpark Way. Mr. Bill Ratliff stated that when the overpass on Spur 350 was built, the Texas Highway Department built it at the present location so the proposed Highway 121A could intersect with a thoroughfare for southbound traffic into the proposed freeway or turnpike. Mr. Theder stated that if the street was built further west, the traffic could go east on Spur 350 until they came to the overpass and then crossover or traffic wanting to go southbound on Westpark Way could go to Central Drive and then east on Spur 350 to reach Westpark Way. Mr. Ratliff stated that Westpark Way was scheduled to intersect at the present intersection to serve the people in the Wilshire area. Mr. Ratliff further stated that the Master Plans of Bedford and Euless indicate the major thoroughfare as presently located. Mr. Ratliff further stated that if the throughfare were routed to the west side of the park site, it would be a Bedford project. Mr. Theder inquired if the street could begin on Pipeline Road at its present position and as it comes to the park site, bend to the west side of the park and then bend east and terminate at the overpass intersection. Mr. Theder further stated the Committee does not want the throughfare to go through the park land. (Page Two, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) A discussion followed on the proposed new streets by the hospital and the proposed Sears store in Bedford. Mrs. Langston stated the park would offer a buffer zone for the citizens in the Wilshire and Timberline Estates area from the proposed thoroughfare. In reply to a question from Mrs. Griffin, Mr. Ratliff stated the original Master Plan was submitted in 1966 or 1967 and was updated in 1970. Mr. Ratliff explained the proposed thoroughfares for the new airport and their effect on Euless. Mr. Theder stated the Committee is proposing spending $200,000.00 to improve West Euless Park and it would be a hazard for the children to cross Westpark Way to go to the park. Mr. Hyde stated the property is a fine piece of land and it was purchased as an investment in the beginning. Mr. Hyde further stated the land could be developed into a quiet park and there would be enough land for active sports. Councilman Douglass stated the City required an industrial development to install a thoroughfare through their development to intersect Westpark Way and Fort Worth has redesigned their street plans to coincide with Westpark Way. Mr. Hyde stated the City is in good shape with the number of park sites they now have. Mr. Theder stated the Committee is opposed to Westpark Way but they will work with the City Council on the Council 's decision. II . WILSHIRE SWIMMING POOL Mr. Ratliff reported the contractor was scheduled to pour the bottom of the swimming pool Monday, April 17, 1972. Mr. Theder stated the Committee was having second feelings on an asphalt parking lot. Mr. Theder further stated they preferred, as this time, to have a bicycle walk-way, and to have a gravel drive-way with flowers. Mr. Theder further stated the City should use the trees the contractor was removing and replant them at another location, as the City doesn 't have many trees. (Page Three, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) Mr. Theder stated the City should have a nursery center for flowers and keep trees to replant them. Mr. Ratliff stated the contract for paving was let with the swimming pool contract. Mr. Ratliff further stated he has talked with the City Manager about using washed gravel and decide later what would be best. Mr. Ratliff stated the problem with omitting the parking lot would be that cars would park in the street in front of the residences on Kynette. Mr. Gregory stated an automobile entrance could be on the commercial side of the development. Mr. Theder stated that more land was needed on the west to build a recreation center there at a future date. Mr. Hyde stated the City would be obligated for emergency vehicles. Mr. Theder stated they wanted to keep out normal traffic, and not have any curb and gutters. Mr. Ratliff stated that June 3, 1972 is the final day for construction of the swimming pool but the bath- house could not be completed by the opening of the swimming pool . Mr. Theder stated the City should have the dedication when the swimming pool and bathhouse are both complete. Mr. Theder stated the City should go with "iron kitchen" concessions with a locked door and the City retain the money. (Mr. Ratliff left the meeting at 9:05 P. M.) III . REPORT FROM W. J. "DOC" HYDE Mr. Theder asked Mr. Hyde to give some of his ideas on the proposed Capital Improvements, as Mr. Hyde was a former member of the Park and Recreation Committee. Mr. Hyde presented an outline on ways the Committee should work to achieve their goals. Mr. Hyde stated to work with other departments and with the City Council , and they will work with you. A discussion followed on the possibil- ities of the outline. Mr. Hyde informed the Committee to get outside help for assistance in problem areas. (Page Four, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) Mr. Hyde stated that eventually the area to the west and north of Westpark will be commercial and industrial . Mr. Hyde further stated that if the citizens stay active, they can delay the industrial , but progress is life and it is fun to watch a City grow. In reply to a question from Mr. Theder on the covered pool project, Mr. Hyde stated it should be an experimental idea using one of the present small pools and decorate with lanterns, and colored masonite squares and have music in the background, an adult atmosphere and not pure athletic atmosphere. Mr. Hyde stated the pools should be 365 day pools and not just three (3) month pools. Dr. Pyburn stated the Committee should retain some wild areas in their natural environment. Dr. Pyburn further stated that if a stream is dammed it will eliminate little streams. Dr. Pyburn stated that if you alter a natural situation you degrade ecology. Mr. Theder stated he thought there should be 1 /3 of the area a wild area, 1/3 for picnic area and 1/3 for active sports. A discussion followed on wild areas in Euless and acquisition of Little Bear Creek for a natural park area. (Mrs. Griffin left the meeting at 9:45 P. M.) Mr. Hyde stated that through the City and civic organization, the City should acquire a good bus and take children on trips to ski area and along the different trails in Texas, this would develop the love of nature into the next generation, as children learn more through education in the outdoors than in a classroom. A discussion followed on park area and usage. Mr. Hyde stated that if a passive area is developed the Committee should have a member of the Police Department present and listen to him, as the policing of the area has to be considered. Mr. Hyde further stated that the Committee should take steps to eliminate cars in wild areas. Mr. Theder stated that the park issue should take priority in the proposed bond election. (Dr. Pyburn left the meeting at 10:10 P. M.) (Page Five, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 19_72) Mr. Theder stated he was in agree- ment with Mr. Hyde 's suggestions and the Committee has set up a time table for the proposed bond election. 1 . Town Hall meeting on May 15, 1972, and contact citizens through the church, local organizations and newspapers. 2. Mayor 's Newsletter on June 1 , 1972, to ask citizens to respond to the priority items. 3. Present Committees recommendations to the City Council by July 1 , 1972, to see what the Council wants to in- clude on the Bond Issue. Mrs. Langston inquired if the summer recreation programs could be mailed to each family in Euless. Mr. Lindsey stated that the programs for 1972 were in the process of being printed at this time, but it is something to keep in mind for next summer. Mr. Hyde stated that the Committee should not dismiss a Texas grant as assistance in acquiring land, that the Committee should set an amount and present it to the City Council for approval . A discussion followed on land acquisition, the town hall meeting and the citizens ideas. Mr. Theder appointed the following to notify the public of the town hall meeting: Mrs. Langston - Publicity through the newspapers Mr. Theder - Mayor's Newsletter Mr. Hunt - Local organizations Mr. Gregory - Methodist Church bulletin Mr. McNair - Episcopal Church bulletin (Copy of outline on file in Office of City Secretary.) IV. GOALS FOR EULESS Mr. Theder stated that the "Goals for Euless" have some good basic ideas for the Park and Recreation Department in them. Mr. Theder stated that the maintenance of the parks is very important and at the present time the parks are in very bad condition. . . Mr. Theder asked Councilman Douglass to speak with the City Manager and Mr. Theder would speak with the Mayor on the maintenance of the parks, that this job should be returned to Mr. Lindsey. (Page Six, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) Mr. Theder stated that the City should be obtaining a competent person for maintenance of the baseball fields ; that he has talked with Mr. Swain and he will take the job for the right price. Mr. Gregory moved that Mr. Lindsey be reinstated as Director of the Park and Recreation Department to include maintenance, recreation program, personnel and budget control . Mr. McNair seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes : Messrs. Gregory, McNair, Theder, and Mrs. Langston Nays: None Vice Chairman Theder declared the motion carried. Mr. Theder asked Councilman Douglass to submit the motion to Mr. Griggs and the City Council . Mr. Gregory stated that there is very bad relations between the public and the recreation personnel . Mr. Lindsey stated he would check into this matter. V. DISCUSSIONS City Charter Amendments Mr. Theder stated that there should be a City Charter amendment election to include the Park and Recreation Committee in the charter. Mr. Theder asked Mr. Lindsey to contact neighboring cities and see how their Park and Recreation Committee is in their City Charter. Sign Ordinance Mr. Theder stated that the sign ordinance is not being enforced. Mr. Theder stated that Mr. Hunt had informed him that there are illegal signs between Highway 183 and Bear Creek. Mr. Theder stated they would discuss this matter more fully at the next meeting. Tree Ordinance Mr. Theder appointed Mrs. Langston to contact the Cities of Bedford and Hurst and obtain a copy of their Tree Ordinance. (Page Seven, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) Naming Parks Mr. Hyde stated that parks should be dedicated to individuals, instead of naming the park for them. Mr. Theder stated that the Committee is not pressed for time on this item, and they will consider it at a later meeting. Mr. Theder further stated that dedicating a park to a mayor will be a tribute to the mayor and will encourage others to run for the office. VI . FULL TIME PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Mr. Theder stated that the City has a program that requires a full time Park and Recreation Director, that the City is demanding too much from Mr. Lindsey as a part-time director. Mr. Theder further stated that he has been in contact with the Mayor and the Mayor agrees. Councilman Douglass informed the Committee that this item is not in the present budget and a represen- tative of the Committee should consult with the City Manager so it can be added to the new budget for the next fiscal year. Mr. Theder stated the Committee will have a work session to discuss this matter and bring it before the Committee at the next meeting. Mr. Lindsey stated that the City will be better off with a part-time director that knows what he is doing than employing a full time director that doesn 't know about Park and Recreation activities. Mrs. Langston reported she had con- tacted several cities on their pay scale for Park and Recreation Directors, as follows : Haltom City $785.00 Hurst $1 , 100.00 Richardson $1 ,250.00 Denton $1 ,096.00 Grand Prairie $1 ,070.00 Farmers Branch $1 , 100.00 VII . USE OF SWIMMING POOL Mr. Gregory asked Mr. Lindsey if the swimming pool could be reserved for an after dark swimming party for 6th grade children, approximately 70 children. (Page Eight, Euless Park and Recreation Committee, April 17, 1972) Mr. Lindsey stated that he would have to make arrangements with the pool manager; that the pool is scheduled to be opened the first week-end after school is dismissed. VIII . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11 :30 P. M. APPROVED: (/ / ,, c--- f"- ' _2/1/ Chairman /7/ i _ mai