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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-11-15 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Committee November 15, 1971 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Euless Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order at 8: 15 P.M. in the Conference Room of Euless City Hall , with Chairman Charles Hunt presiding. Other members present are listed as follows : Mmes. Carolyn Griffin and Joy Langston, Alternate; Messrs. Jay Theder and Cullen McNair. (Absent was Mr. Ivan Gregory. ) Also present were Parks and Recrea- tion Director Frank Lindsey and Recording Secretary Florence Murr. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Parks and Recrea- tion Committee meeting dated October 18, 1971 , were approved as written. DISCUSSION: PROPOSED METRO PLAN FOR COUNTY-WIDE CONSOLIDATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS Mrs. Carolyn Griffin advised that area citizens are being encouraged to write letters to their Senators, registering opposition to the proposed Metro Plan for County-wide consoli- dation of public schools. Mr. Theder advised that he is of the opinion the Euless City Council recently took action to support the Hurst- Euless-Bedford Independent School District in their efforts to oppose the Metro Plan. Members of the Parks and Recreation Committee were in agreement that the Corresponding Secretary should write a letter to Congressman Jim Wright, for their signatures, advising him that the Committee is opposed to the proposed Metro Plan. II . REPORT: PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, MR. FRANK LINDSEY Mr. Lindsey stated that although his recent hospital confinement and recovery have limited his activities, he has talked regularly with Mrs. Julia Wakeley of the Recreation Department. (Page Two, Minutes of Regular Meeting, Parks and Recreation Committee, November 15, 1971 ) He advised that Mrs. Wakeley has kept him informed of activities within the department and that they have drafted a list of recommendations for projects to be included in the Capital Improvements Program -- that the list will be ready for presentation in the near future. Mr. Lindsey commented that he and Mrs . Wakeley have discussed the need for a stage, lighting and, possibly, dress- ing rooms, as well as a sliding divider in the gym to better utilize the space. He stated that Mrs. Wakeley has requested kitchen facilities -- that he would like to have one but is of the opinion it must be placed care- fully. Mr. Lindsey stated that, in his opinion, items having number one priority are raising the ceiling in the gym and removal of glass in the gym. Chairman Hunt asked Mr. Lindsey if, in his opinion, the kitchen would give better utilization. Mr. Lindsey replied that he feels the kitchen might slow the program down, as the recreation program is running at full capacity now. Chairman Hunt stated that, in his opinion, one priority is additional recreational space -- that this should carry high priority in the next Bond Election. III . DISCUSSION: RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR USE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING Copies of the 1971 Summer Recreation Program and Procedure, Rules and Regulations for Euless Community Building were distributed to Members of the Committee, for their review. The method for selection of instructors was discussed. Members of the Committee were in agreement that considera- tion should be given to some policy to assure the public of getting what they paid for. Mr. Lindsey stated that the City brings together the instructor and students -- that it furnishes a place for the instructor to teach the class, and the fee is usually paid to the instructor by the students . He commented that he or Mrs. Wakeley usually know the instructors. IV. DISCUSSION OF WEST PARK Mr. Theder requested that Mr. Lindsey investigate the needs at West Park and and submit a report on the estimated cost. (Page Three, Minutes of Regular Meeting, Parks and Recreation Committee, November 15, 1971 ) Chairman Hunt advised that he is of the opinion the Referendum Petition which was presented to the Euless City Council (requesting an election to consider dedication of the twenty (20) acre tract commonly known as 'Vest Euless Park" as a City Park) has been amended to meet the necessary requirements. Mrs. Langston stated that Councilman Wilcox is of the opinion another issue will be coming up soon after the first of the year and he would like to see the two issues incorporated in order to save expenses. In reply to a question, Chairman Hunt advised that six acres of the site have been surveyed, and the Architect/ Engineers have been instructed to plan a pool for the site -- that the remaining fourteen (14) acres will depend on the outcome of the proposed Referendum Election. V. CONSTRUCTION OF SWIMMING POOLS AT SOUTH EULESS PARK AND WEST PARK Chairman Hunt read a letter addressed to City Manager C. J. Griggs from Mr. James U. Cross, Executive Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as follows : "The State Liaison Officer and his advisory committee have reviewed your applications for matching assistance for two swimming pools under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. The review committee concurred with the city in that the South Pool is the priority pool and will support this project. The Department is preparing the South Pool project for submission to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The West Pool was not approved for support at the present time and will be returned under separate cover. The review committee action was a result of study of the State Compre- hensive Plan, city facilities, population and funds available in the program. Support of an additional pool could be re-evaluated after the South Pool is constructed and usage is established." Mr. Theder stated that construction of a pool at South Euless, only, does not follow the recommendation of the com- mittee that two equal pools be constructed at the same time. He suggested that $60,000.00 of Park Bond Funds be allocated for the pool at South Euless -- and the State will match this amount, making a total of $120,000 for construction of that pool , and the $120,000 Park Bond Funds remaining can be allocated for construction of an identical pool in West Park. A lengthy discussion ensued, and Mr. Theder stated that, in his opinion, the application for a grant was sub- mitted with a maximum cost of $160,000.00, with deductive alternates reducing the cost down to a minimum of $90,000.00. (Page Four, Minutes of Regular Meeting, Parks and Recreation Committee, November 15, 1971) Chairman Hunt advised that the Com- mittee has a tentative appointment with the City' s Consulting Engineers on Wednesday, November 24th, to review and discuss information concern- ing the proposed swimming pools. He recommended that the Committee have a concrete plan to present to the Engineers at that time -- that they either accept the State 's offer of matching funds for a pool at South Euless Park, or reject it. (Mr. Lindsey left the meeting at this time. ) In reply to a question, Chairman Hunt advised that he is of the opinion there is approximately $180,000.00 in Park Bond Funds at this time. Mr. Theder commented that the City Manager has been requested to furnish information as to the interest which has been received from the investment of Park Bond Funds -- that he would still like to have this information -- that he is of the opinion Park Bond Fund interest money should be spent on parks. Mr. Theder made a motion that the Com- mittee advise the Engineers of its desire to build equal pools on both sites, at the same time, and request that they plan the pools as such, with the cost of the pools to be based on the following: 1 . If matching funds are approved by the State for the pool at South Euless Park, the total cost for each pool is to be $120,000.00 2. If matching funds are not approved, the cost for each pool is to be $90,000.00. Mr. Theder explained that the City would pay $60,000.00 on the pool at South Euless, and the State would match that amount -- $120,000.00, the amount remaining in Park Bond Funds, would build an identical pool at West Euless Park. Chairman Hunt asked Mr. Theder if, in his opinion this would delay the start of construction on both pools. Mr. Theder replied negatively. Chairman Hunt stated that he is of the opinion any changes will delay the project -- that the best guess now is that it will be the middle of December before the bids can be opened and the con- tract awarded. Mr. Theder stated that he foresees no problems because of the manner in which the original plan was submitted -- with deductible items to reduce the total cost to $90,000.00. (Page Five, Minutes of Regular Meeting, Parks and Recreation Committee, November 15, 1971 ) Mr. Theder's motion was seconded by Mr. McNair, and the vote is as follows : Ayes : Mmes . Griffin and Langston, Messrs . Theder, McNair and Hunt Nays : None Chairman Hunt declared the motion carried. Members of the Committee were in agree- ment that the Engineers should be advised of their recommendation as soon as possible. VI . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10: 15 P.M. APPROVED : Chairman fsm