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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-03-16 Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee March 16, 1970 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee was called to order at 7: 55 P. M. in the Conference Room of Euless City Hall by Chairman Charles Hunt . Members present are as follows : Mrs , David Martin and Mr . Ivan Gregory, (Absent were Messrs . Jay Theder and James Kiimer . ) Also present were Mr. Frank Lindsey; Park and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary Della Houy.. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the called meeting dated March 2, 1970, were approved as written. REPORT OF LIGHTS FOR BASEBALL FIELDS NO. 2 AND 3 - MIDWAY PARK Mr. Lindsey stated he had conferred with Mr. Charles Page, Manager of Texas Power and Light Company, who commented that the estimates on the lighting of Baseball Field- No. 2 and the moving of the lights from Field No. 2 to Field No. 3 at Midway Park were very conservative and the City should consider accepting a bid. Mr. Lindsey stated that the low bid was submitted by Euless Electric Company, and the cost of moving the surplus fixtures from Field No. 2 to Field No. 3, would be approximately $850.00 Mr. Gregory stated that he would withdraw his request for a third estimate in view of Mr. Page's comments. II . PROPOSED SWIMMING POOL AND PARK SITE Mr. Gregory presented a letter from the City's Consulting Engineer's Knowlton-Ratliff-English-Collins, on their report on the survey of the area immediately North of Little Bear Creek. Mr. Ratliff stated the flood plane of this area makes it undesirable for a swimming pool complex. (Copy of letter on file in Office of City Secretary.) Mr. Gregory stated he would like to reaffirm the prime objective for the use of the Park and Recreation Bond Funds; that the funds were voted for the use of a swimming pool and he believes the money should be used for that purpose. Mr. Gregory further commented that the Committee is obligated to the voters and citizens to build a swimming pool by the end of 1970. (Page Two, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, March 16, 1970) Mr. Gregory stated that every project the Committee has discussed is a worthy project, but the present funds should be used for a swimming pool , even if the City has to use one of the present park sites. Mrs. Martin stated that she agrees ; the, pool has priority with the present funds and after the pool is built, the remainder of the money can be used in the purchase of other park sites. Mr. Hunt stated that he agrees that the swimming pool is the primary project, but if another project comes along and it can be built without delay, he sees no reason not to use money for 1970 in 1970 and money for 1971 in 1971 . Mr. Hunt further commented he sees no specific time to begin construction and for termination on the swimming pool . Mr. Hunt inquired if all other projects should wait until the swimming pool is built. Mr. Gregory stated that he believes the first consideration is the swimming pool in order to keep faith with the voters . Mr. Gregory further stated that a neighborhood swimming pool should be built in 1970 and an olympic size built later and the City could use some of the money for the needed lights on the baseball fields. Mrs. Martin inquired if the way the citizens voted on the bond issue in 1965 is as listed in the Capital Improve- ments Program. Mr. Gregory commented that this was the program that was presented to the citizens prior to the election of the bond program, that the ballot didn' t contain the breakdown. Mrs. Martin stated that everything has been accomplished on the program except the second swimming pool . Mrs. Martin stated that she is aware of new programs to be considered but she agrees with Mr. Gregory. Mrs. Martin stated that if the Committee uses the bond money for field lights and other projects, the City will be left without a pool . She further commented that the Committee should turn down some projects until a definite decision has been made on the swimming pool . Mr. Hunt stated he is not in favor of spending money the Committee does not have, that the fact remains there is nothing definite. The City does not have a site at present, are not sure of a site and he does not see how the City can have a new pool by the end of 1970. Mr. Gregory stated the swimming pool is an absolute must and the Committee should use a site already available. Mrs. Martin inquired about the price of the land under consideration. (Page Three, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, March 16, 1970) Mr. Hunt stated he does not have a definite price but has overheard the property owners must get enough to have the property released and not have to use their money. He commented, this is hearsay. Mrs. Martin stated the Committee should have something definite, not just hearsay. Mr. Hunt stated he had suggested to the City Manager to arrange a meeting with the property owners , the City Council and the Planning and Zonin Commission to acquire a price on the sand. Mr. Hunt stated that his experience in the last year has been various types of delays and it is quite possible that the goal of a swimming pool in 1970 may not be met. Mrs . Martin stated that the Committee should push for information from the property owners. Mrs. Martin further commented that Mr. Lindsey should acquire the price of swimming pools for presentation to the Committee. She stated the Committee should know what the City Council will do to help in financing the purchase of land and sit down and find out their ideas, and if the City Council will help the Committee. Mr. Lindsey stated that the City Attorney is making progress on the Federal Assistance Program. Mr. Hunt stated that every member of the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board have their own ideas and until they get together on the same line of thinking, nothing will be accomplished. Mrs. Martin inquired about the length of time it will take to acquire additional park sites. Mr. Hunt stated that from past experience, the Committee can make a recommendation and get approval from the City Council , and, several months later, the Committee will need approval the second time. Mrs. Martin stated the Committee should arrange a meeting with the City Council and let the City Council know their ideas. Mr. Hunt stated that the park site and swimming pool complex has several obstacles. The first obstacle is getting across Little Bear Creek and back to the parking area. Mr. Hunt further stated that these details should be discussed and decided before making a recommendation to the City Council for the site. The Committee needs to decide on the type of crossing and exact location needed. Mr. Hunt stated he has talked with Mr. Morrison and he would be cooperative in the development of the park site. Mr. Hunt stated that every project becomes a major project. (Page Four, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, March 16, 1970) Mr. Gregory stated he has had several inquiries of why the new swimming pool should be located north of town as few people live in that part of town. Mrs. Martin inquired if the City Council had met with the School Board in reference with land in West Euless Park. Mr. Hunt stated the school wants eight (8) acres . Mr. Gregory stated that West Euless Park is the biggest waste the City has because it is just there and not being used. Mr. Gregory stated that West Euless Park should be given further consideration. Mr. Lindsey stated that in order to obtain estimates on swimming pools, the Committee should have a definite site, as different locales would necessitate different price estimates. Mr. Gregory stated he agrees the City needs an olympic type pool , but at this time, the City does not have a site and the Committee has no way of buying the land at this time. Mr. Gregory further stated that the City should build a pool larger than the present Midway Park Pool and satisfy our bond obligations and then buy additional park land on a new bond program and build the larger swimming pool . Mr. Lindsey stated that the prime objective of all the Cities is to acquire land for park sites. Mr. Lindsey further stated that some sites are still available but the good sites are getting scarce. A lengthy discussion followed on the size and types of swimming pools. Mrs. Martin stated that this organization has two courses of action before them. The first is to get their ideas organized before a meeting with the City Council on a new park site and the availability of Federal Funds for the large swimming pool . The alternative course of action is building a swimming pool on a park site the City now has. Mrs. Martin stated the Committee already knows there is negative thinking on buying new park land, as this investment will require more money than is available at this time. Mrs. Martin further commented that this Committee needs to meet with the City Council and find out if the Council will go along with the Committee's recommendations; if a flat no is received, the Committee still has an obligation to the voters to build a swimming pool on present City property. (Page Five, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Committee, March 16, 1970) Mr. Hunt stated that he doesn 't agree, as the Committee has been sidetracked by a number of different ideas. Mr. Hunt further stated that he agrees the City needs a swimming pool but improvements should be done as the need and money is available and there should not be a dead line on the completion of the project. Mr. Hunt stated that the function of this Committee is to decide the needs of the City and make a recommendation to the City Council and the Council will know best how to allocate the money set aside for the Parks and Recreation. Mr. Hunt stated that the green belt along the flood plane of Little Bear Creek is in future plans, but the first step is to acquire land. Mrs. Martin stated that with the price of land and to erect a dam across the creek would be very expensive and the City does not have that much money in the bond fund. Mrs. Martin further commented that the Committee should be united on one project with an alternative project to fall back on. Mr. Hunt stated he doesn't agree to do something halfway just to meet an obligation to the citizens. Mr. Hunt stated the number one aim is to provide for the needs of the citizens. Mr. Hunt stated that he is not in favor of sacrificing a very much needed and thoughtout project for something inferior. Mr. Hunt further stated that this Committee should put forth effort and come up with a concrete recommendation, one they agree on and that would sound feasible and serve the most needs of the citizens. Mr. Gregory stated that in view of the letter from the engineers, this Committee is back to the first time it met and nothing has been accomplished; only the Committee has $6,000.00 less money and 90 days less time. Mr. Hunt stated that he would like to make a recommendation that the City Council meet with the Park and Recreation Committee in a work session at the earliest possible date, preferably before or after the next City Council meeting. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. M. 414' )0 4l _ / C a i rma dfh