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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2007-12-03 Minutes MINUTES 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 December 3, 2007 Present: Brad Greene Chairman Ricky McElroy Board Member Tom Lombard Board Member Jay Crane Board Member Mike Filis Board Member Marlin Miller Board Member Tracye Tipps Alternate Absent: Marty Kusmierski Vice-Chair Staff Members: Vickie Loftice Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Swartz Waterpark Manager Joe Pack Senior Park Planner Geoff Sherman Landscape Horticulturalist Tina Earle Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Jared Miller Assistant City Manager A-1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brad Greene called the meeting to order December 3, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. A-2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 1, 2007 MEETING APPROVED Mr. Lombard moved to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2007 Park and Recreation Board meeting. Mr. Crane seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Ms. Vickie Loftice introduced Mr. Jared Miller, the new Assistant City Manager. Mr. Miller has been with the City for about one month. B-1 REVIEW OF CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Mr. Joe Pack, Senior Park Planner, highlighted the following capital projects: Boulevard 26 - TxDOT approved the 60% submittal and is proceeding with the 90% submittal. Little Bear Creek Trail - Staff us working on securing land dedication for the final sections needed for the trail. Central NRH Recreation Center - A "Request for Qualifications" was issued for professional architectural services for the new recreation center. A committee has been established to review 13 proposals that were received. The committee will narrow down the selection to 3 firms and then begin the interview process. Library Park Plaza - The land has been dedicated to the City for the new Library Park Plaza. New concept plans will be presented in February. J.B. Sandlin Park Improvements - The developer is nearing completion of re-grading the channel. Public Works will oversee the clearing and dredging of the channel bottom. Once the irrigation design is complete, staff will solicit bids for the installation. Founders & Legacy Recognition Program - Jason Moore was recently hired as the new Park Planner. He is researching and compiling documentation to be used in the design of the Tommy and Sue Brown Park and Kay Granger Park recognition signs. Richland Tennis Center Security and Lighting Systems - Staff met on November 1 to discuss the installation of an adequate video surveillance system for the tennis center. Lighting at Tipps Canine Hollow - City Council supported the Park and Recreation Board's recommendation on having the Dog Park Association contribute to the cost of the lights for Tipps Canine Hollow. Staff will hold off on selecting a lighting consultant for the project until the Dog Park Association is established and has held 2- 3 fundraisers to show that they will be contributing to the cost of the lights. Park Infrastructure Maintenance - Improvements planned for this FY include the repair and/or replacement of the retaining wall at Adventure World and the playground at Northfield Park. Annual Tree Planting - The annual tree planting project is out for bid. The bids will be opened on December 20. Additional Parking at Tipps Canine Hollow - Staff is working with Public Works to identify what parking options we may have with out parking directly on Northfield Drive. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 3, 2007 2 Davis Blvd. Streetscape - Staff will be scheduling a"Let's Grow Davis" meeting to present the master concept plan to the stakeholders. The master concept plan was prepared by Schrickel Rollins. East Harwood Entry Monument - Staff is working on executing a construction contract for this project. The Notice to Proceed should go out on December 4, 2007. Liberty Lake Phase 1 and 2- Staff reviewed two potential concepts and provided direction to Graham Associates for revising the concepts. Median and Entry Way Improvements at Glenview & Loop 820 - The Park Planner is working with the Landscape Horticulturalist in developing a plant palette and preliminary concept plans. Third Phase Attraction - Staff is negotiating with LBL for the Third Phase Attraction at NRH2O. Construction would begin in 2008 and be complete for the 2009 season. Library Coffee Shop Finish OutlStart-Up - Staff is moving forward with purchasing necessary equipment for the Coffee Shop and is also considering Starbucks and Dr Pepper products. The coffee shop will be completely self supportive. Parking Lot Expansion - Staff is working on an amendment to the original license agreement with TXU for the proposed new parking area at NRH2O. Picnic Area Expansion - Staff have identified four new pad sites for picnic areas at NRH2O. Preparation of the construction documents should begin in January 2008. Restroom/Hopper Expansion - This project is being designed concurrently with the Third Phase Attraction Project. B-2 NRHZO 2007 END OF SEASON REPORT Mr. Chris Swartz, NRH2O Park Manager, presented the 2007 End of Season Report for NRH2O. Some of the highlights include: Over $3.9 million in revenue, this is the 2nd best year for revenue. Attendance was 248,205; this is the 6th best attendance season. Highest season pass totals - 11,404 passes sold. Highest group exclusive revenue - over $19,000. Highest food and beverage revenue - over $465,000. Third best gift shop revenue in the past five years - over $103,000. Second best locker revenues - over $59,000. North Richland Hills residents account for 27% of the parks attendance. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 3, 2007 3 Staff's goals for the next season include increasing target marketing, group sales and food and beverage per caps. Mr. Swartz also mentioned that August 2007 was the best August they have ever seen. The new cabanas helped contribute to this as they earned $17,000 in rentals in August. B-3 PRESENTATION ON WEBSITE REDESIGN AND ELECTRONIC MARKETING Ms. Tina Earle, Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator, presented a report on the new marketing initiatives for Parks and Recreation including the website redesign and Electronic Marketing. Ms. Earle has been working with the Information Services Department to update the Parks and Recreation Department's website. Some of the changes include new format, new text, photos and updated information. Currently Parks and Recreation has 82 pages on the website. Ms. Earle presented a PowerPoint presentation on Constant Contact, the new electronic marketing service being utilized by the department. B-4 LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM UPDATE AND PRESENTATION ON D/SCOVER: PROJECT GREEN EVENT Mr. Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist, presented an update on the Horticultural Program. South Davis Landscape - Staff is working with Schrickel Rollins & Associates on a master plan for the right-of-way along South Davis Blvd. The project will include sustainable landscape with drought tolerant material within the public right-of-way. This is part of the Let's Grow Davis project. Glenview @ 820 Entry Sign - Staff is working on a design for the improvement of the Entry way sign at Glenview and Loop 820. The design will include attractive plantings and "eye popping" landscape. Hawk Median - Staff is working on an enhanced planting scheme for the Hawk Median. The enhancements will include ornamental grasses, colorful perennial color, native stone and flowering trees. Annual Tree Planting Program - Staff anticipates planting 107 new and replacement trees. Wildflower Program - Several park sites have been seeded with crimson clover, bluebonnets and a Texas wildflower mix. The sites include Cross Timbers, Walker's Creek Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 3, 2007 4 and Tommy & Sue Brown Parks, the Davis Fly-over and along the trails. The crimson clover should be the first to bloom in March. Mr. Sherman provides assistance to park maintenance staff in troubleshooting irrigation difficulties, wildflower plantings, hydromulch establishment and general maintenance requirements. Mr. Sherman has also been working on identifying Champion Trees. The City of North Richland Hills currently has recorded nine regional champions, four state champions and one national champion tree. The national champion tree is located at Cross Timbers Park. NRH leads northeast Tarrant municipalities in the total number of champion trees. Mr. Sherman coordinated the efforts of the Eagle Scout with the installation of the flag internment vault at Liberty Park prior to the Veterans Day Celebration. Several staff members are helping with the planning of a new, environmentafly-themed event to be held at Cross Timbers Park. The family oriented event, Discover: Project Green is scheduled for March 29, between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Project Green will embrace the concepts of environmental conservation, preservation and awareness. There will be kid-friendly activities, demonstrations, tours of the Cross Timbers Prairie, speakers from state agencies, utility groups and the green building industry C. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Lombard commented that Cross Timbers Park looks great since the fire -"nature has taken its course." D. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lombard moved to adjoum the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Mr. McElroy seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Brad Greene, Chairman ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Administrative Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 3, 2007 5