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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2007-10-01 MinutesMINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 Present: Brad Greene Marty Kusmierski Ricky McElroy Tom Lombard Jay Crane Mike Filis Marlin Miller Tracye Tipps Staff Members Vickie Loftice Bill Thornton Sharon Davis Chris Swartz Joe Pack Christina Lopez October 1, 2007 Chairman Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Alternate Director of Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Waterpark Manager Senior Park Planner Administrative Secretary A-1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brad Greene called the meeting to order October 1, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. A-2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 6, 2007 MEETING APPROVED Mr. Lombard moved to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2007 Park and Recreation Board meeting. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. A-3 RESENTATION OF THE 2007 PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY APPROVED Mr. Francois de Kock, Halff Associates, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the 2007 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan Executive Summary. Discussion was held. Mr. Lombard moved to forward the 2007 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan to City Council for their consideration and input. Ms. Kusmierski seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. B-1 DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation, provided a brief overview of the following items: Neighborhood Resources Coordination Group -Senior Isolation Group: Ms. Loftice is working with the Senior Isolation Group which helps keep seniors in society so they do not feel isolated. Vickie also asked the Board to be the eyes and ears for this group. Please notify Vickie or the Neighborhood Resource Coordinator so they can provide assistance to any senior citizen that you know of who is struggling with transportation issues or is unable to pay for their medication. The phone number for the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator will be forwarded to the Park Board. Natural Habitat area located within the HomeTown development - A U.S. Corp of Engineers designated natural habitat area located within HomeTown and owned by the City of NRH was illegally cleared of trees. Staff is working with the City Attorney and the USACE to address the issue and put together a reclamation plan. Fire at Norich Park - On September 24, a portion of the playground area was deliberately set on fire at Norich Park. Slight damage occurred to the fall-zone surfacing material and the saber tooth tigers' base. The area is currently closed but will reopen as soon as the fall-zone material can be replaced. The existing material is no longer available, so staff will be replacing this with fibar material. Status on the New Recreation Center -Requests for Qualifications has been requested for the selection of an Architectural/Engineering Firm for the design of the new Recreation Center. Staff anticipates the process, from design to completion, will take approximately three years. New Wildflower Program Initiative -The planting of wildflower seeds will be expanded to include areas along Loop 820, Walker's Creek Trail, Davis Flyover area, Cross Timbers Park and Tommy and Sue Brown Park. Update on the Signal Art Program -Currently three signal art boxes have been installed. There is a delay on the other eight due to a placement issue with TxDOT. Staff is meeting with TxDOT at the end of October and if a resolution cannot be reached, new locations will be selected for the other boxes. B-2 REVIEW OF THE PARKS CONTRACT MOWING PROGRAM Mr. Bill Thornton presented an update on the Parks Contract Mowing Program. The mowing contract with VMC Landscaping Services was originally executed May 9, 2005, renewed for an additional year on September 25, 2006, and will expire September 30, 2007. Park and Recreation Board Minutes October 1, 2007 2 According to the terms of the contract, VMC Landscape Services is required to submit a renewal request allowing for price changes in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. VMC indicated their intent to renew the contract, anticipating a 4% to 5% CPI increase but in August 2007, the CPI was determined to be 1.8%. VMC decided against renewing. Staff prepared bid specifications for a new mowing contract. Three bids were received. Staff evaluated the bids and also compared the bids to the cost for the city to perform the same service. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board to continue the general parks mowing contract and awarding the contract for FY07/08 to VMC Landscape. B-3 REVIEW OF CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, noted that the update to all the current capital projects was in their packet and he would be happy to answer any questions that the board may have. No questions were asked. B-4 NRHZO FAMILY WATERPARK UPDATE Mr. Chris Swartz, NRH2O Park Manager, presented information on the 2007 season for NRH2O. NRH2O finished the 2007 season with approximately 248,000 guests and revenue numbers are expected to be very close to last year. Chris will present the 2007 End of Season Report at the December meeting. B-5 HIGHLIGHTS OF RECREATION DIVISION PROGRAMS Ms. Sharon Davis, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented information on upcoming special events: Hoot n' Howl will be held on October 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Green Valley Community Park. The 2007 Autumn Night Music Concert Series will be held on October 6 with Me and My Monkey and on October 13 with Sfudio 54 Band. The concerts will be held at Kay Granger Park at Mullendore Elementary School and begin at 7:00 p.m. A Veterans Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Park. The event will include musical entertainment, keynote speaker Brigadier General Keith Thurgood and many others to help honor those that have served out country. Mr. Marlin Miller will be leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Companies in Action will hold their final event on October 13. The golf tournament will be held at Iron Horse Golf Course with an awards luncheon immediately following. Companies will be recognized for their level of participation and HealthMarkets will be recognized for being the presenting level sponsor. Park and Recreation Board Minutes October 1, 2007 3 Richland Tennis Center's numbers are in and they are approximately 2% up from last year. C. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS There are no other items. D. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lombard moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Mr. McElroy seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. ATTEST: 1//' Bra ~ Greene, C airman ,; Christina Lopez, Administrative Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes October 1, 2007 4