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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-04-20 Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee April 20, 1970 CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee was called to order at 7:40 P. M. in the Conference Room of Euless City Hall by Chairman Charles Hunt. Members present are listed as follows : Mrs. David Martin and Mr. Ivan Gregory. (Absent: Mr. James Kilmer and Mr. Jay Theder. ) Also present were Mr. Frank Lindsey, Park and Recreation Director, and Recording Secretary Ophelia Smith. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL. MEETING APRIL 14, 1970, Chairman Hunt asked Mrs. Martin to give a report on the recent meeting of the City Council , in the absence of Mr. Theder, who had presented recommendations of the Park and Recreation Committee. Mrs. Martin reported that Mr. Theder had presented the recommenda- tions well and was a good representative of the Park and Recreation Committee. She reported the Council was very inquisitive, and discussed each point at length; especially, the proposed storage building and rest rooms at Midway Park. The Council decided to wait until a later date to vote on acquisition of additional land for a park site. The Council approved re-lighting of Base- ball Diamonds at Midway Park, and Mr. Lindsey stated that work was to begin April 21 . Chairman Hunt stated that owners of land proposed for a park desire the full cooperation of the City Council for best development. He suggested that Committee Members attend City Council meetings to boost Park and Recreation Committee recommendations. LETTER FROM COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR. JAY THEDER Chairman Hunt presented a letter from Mr. (Page Two, Rea y_ ular Meets _of the Park and Recret?or; Committee, AprL_20, 1970) 197 ��� Jay Theder and requested Mrs, Martin to read to the Committee. The c olte-,ts are as follows : April 19, 1970 Park and Recreation Committee Euless, Texas Dear Members , I would like to apologize for being absent from the last two meetings. The only excuse I have to offer is work. I have several items that I would like to bring to your atten- tion. The first and most important is that I request that Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Martin seriously consider returning to our committee for another term. I realize it is very time consuming for someone as busy as you both are; however, the committee needs your support to assure that our present recommendations are accom- plished and that we have a park system to be proud of in the future. I would also like to request that Mr. Hunt, if it meets with his approval , recommend my name as the fifth member of the Park and Recreation Committee, I am sure all of our members realize that if our present recom- mendations are accepted, it is possible we will be without funds for further capitol improvements. I do however, believe that there are many areas in which we have work to be done. It is almost mandatory that we work on construction and passage of an amendment to the City Charter, that outlines the structure of the Park and Recreation system and that details the function of each department. Another item that the committee must work on is the passage of future bond issues. I believe that by using the park master plan and the citizens of Euless desires as a guide, we can present to the voter a bond issue that will come out favorable. Falling under the category of revenue bonds, the committee could work towards the construction of a municiple golf course. This would not cost the taxpayers money and the surplus revenue could be funneled into our Park Department. (Page 1970) Three, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, April 2G, 197 The committee should apply for funds for the construction of our pool project through the Outdoor Recreation Assistance Program we have discussed. Although they do not have a ny funds now, we should have our application ready to submit on July 1 , 1970. The last item I have to mention is Westpark. I realize that not having any funds, this area presents a problem. The first thing that should be accomplished is to determine what piece of land the H.E.B. School Board wants to obtain. Ther, using "friendly persuasion, " Westpark can be improved. By contacting local social groups, such as the J.C. 's, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and through influential citizens, the committee can make great improvements in Westpark. I assure you that I do not have the answers to all our problems ; however, I feel that through our continued endeavors all of these problems can be worked out. Sincerely, /s/ Jay H. Theder JAY H. THEDER Member Discussion followed concerning the para- graph about the City Charter. Chairman Hunt stated that nothing is included in the City Charter in regards to the Park and Recreation Committee. The Committee members agreed that it would be appropriate to submit a recommendation to the City Council to refer to Park and Recreation Committee in the Charter, if it is a permanent Committee, and to ask for allotment of funds for the Park and Recreation program. Mr. Lindsey mentioned that work for 19/0- 71 Budget will begin soon and the Park and Recreation Committee should gear their plans to coincide with over-all plans , III . PROPOSAL FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF PRESENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman Hunt proposes to recommend to the City Council , the reappointment of Mrs . Martin, Mr. Gregory, and Mr. Theder to serve on the Park and Recreation Committee for an additional two year term, following the expiration of present term. (Pace Four Re.ular Meetins of the Park and Recreation Committee, April 20, 1970 IV. PROTEST OF UNDERGROUND NEWSPAPERS AND FILTHY LITERATURE BEING SOLD IN VICINITY, AND OBSCENE MOVIES SHOWN IN AREA Mr. Lindsey reported that underground newspapers, which are most indecent and vulgar with disreputable advertis- ing, being sold on the grounds at Trinity High School . He stated that he has been working to get the newsstands cleaned up of filthy literature, and that some of the most objectionable publications have been removed from newsstands due to letters of protest from interested citizens. Members of the Committee discussed movies being shown in the area, and agreed that many are of a variety most undesirable for adults, much less young adults and children, Mr. Gregory agreed to serve as a Committee Representative and write letters of protest concerning such undesirable materials. Mrs. Martin promised to write letters of protest, as a representative of the Park and Recreation Committee, to the Television Networks, regarding questionable movies. Mr. Lindsey furnished a list of businesses, with their addresses, selling obscene literature. V. PROPOSED PARK SITE Mr. Lindsey presented a map and letter of explanation of the proposed Park Site from Mr. Bill Ratliff (these items furnished by City Manager 's Office) . Mrs. Martin read the letter and discussion followed. Chairman Hunt observed that the land on higher ground would be more suitable for a swimming pool . If it could be purchased at a reasonable price, it would be more ideal for a park. (Page Five, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, April 20 1970) Members of the Committee expressed confidence in the City Manager's ability to negotiate with property owners for the site. Also, they felt that the proper amounts would be spent for land and a swimm' ^g pool . VI . TRAILWOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COMMUNICATION Chairman Hunt stated that he felt Mr. Bobby Fuller, Representative of Trailwood Development Corporation, has been very patient regarding his offer to sell fifteen (15) or sixteen (16) acres of low land (adjacent to the previously proposed park site) to the City, and that the Committee should answer his letter. Plans were made to write a formal letter to Mr. Fuller, in the near future, advising that the Park and Recreation Committee might consider acquiring the additional acreage mentioned adjoin- ing the proposed park site, at a future date. VII . SIGNING OF RECOMMENDATIONS Members of the Committee signed copies of the recommendations submitted to the City Council on April 14, 1970, to be filed as a permanent record. VIII . DISCUSSION OF FUTURE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Chairman Hunt stated that he has had inquiries if there are plans for a golf course included in the Park and Recreation Committee projects for the future. He said Mid-Cities Golf Club has started a charter and would be interested in working with the Euless Park and Recreation Committee to help promote a golf course in Euless. Costs of building and maintaining a golf course were discussed; also, a suitable location. (Page S x Rega`'a�.TMe� Tyyy e F=;rk and Recrea on Committee, ApruH 20, 1970) Mr. Gregory and C`++:a rman Hunt agreed to visit a few of r ne ,:;r o- -c";,g to get ideas for tture use. C ?mmi t "tee members =iyreed that a golf course should have at Yeast IX, FUTURE PROJECTS L airman Hunt stated that even though all projects have not been, competed, the Committee shouA be thinking of future projects, without W,_,siyg s?.jht of present incompie:e ones. Among those discussed for future considera- tion are: 1 . Additional land for more parks. (Family type parks in every area) 2. Additional space for swimming pools. (Neighborhood pools convenient to everyone in the City) 3. Raise the ceiling in the gymnasium and install regular basketball lights. (Cost approximately $3,600.00) Mr. Lindsey presented photographs of the swimming pool at the Denton Civic Center. Members were favorably impressed. Mr. Lindsey reported that the need for more baseball diamonds is great. One league had to be discontinued this year because of lack of space, and vacant lots are being used in many areas as practice fields. Also, Committee members agreed that consideration should be given to acquiring another recreation building in the not too distant future, as the present one is being used at near capacity at present. X. DISCUSSION OF HOW TO KEEP RUBBISH OUT OF PARKS Mr. Lindsey reported that Fort Worth surrounds their parks with a low fence to prevent trucks from driving into the park, and have found this to be very successful in preventing dumping of rubbish and trash of all sorts. (i 9 a_. Reereatc: s- Commatte e, Apra� 2 0 , • i• _ -dsey agreed to check with Mr. Jack Dobbs of Ene s> ree t tc- :=e,e ' t the dump ,-.g -, Euless Parks is f i i •- dirt or just r,uc• ,r. • Committee Members discussed the need for keepi -ig the M: t Pr , c e, = 70:'y the fences. The collection of rubbish from Hg :�k -c� .,r r'. s is abominable. m-,0 Mar t; ;- asked if we could place attrac tive, neat tra', C" ‘r Complex area. M • C.°rdsey replied that his department would see tha Xi . LAND GRANT - FEDERALAID Chearmai Hunt asked Mr. Lindsey to submit a check list for sec : feder: l fu:;ds to be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Lindsey replied that he would see what he could do. XII . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P. M. APPROi D: — 17:e l.ha rman ots ; il