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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2008-02-04 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 February 4, 2008 Present: Brad Greene Chairman Marty Kusmierski Vice-Chair Jay Crane Board Member Mike Filis Board Member Tom Lombard Board Member Ricky McElroy Board Member Marlin Miller Board Member Tracye Tipps Alternate Absent: Staff Members: Sharon Davis Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Pack Senior Park Planner Gary Bechthold Parks Superintendent Geoff Sherman Landscape Horticulturalist Jason Moore Park Planner Chris Swartz Waterpark Manager Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Jared Miller Assistant City Manager A-1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brad Greene called the meeting to order February 4, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. A-2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 3, 2007 MEETING APPROVED Mr. Lombard moved to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2007 Park and Recreation Board meeting. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. B-1 YOUTH ASSOCIATION YEARLY REPORTS The Parks and Recreation Department provides athletic facilities for four youth sports associations. Each year the youth associations are required to make a presentation to the Park and Recreation Board outlining the programs and services they provide and the status of their association. The following youth associations made their presentations at the February 2, 2008 meeting: Orlando Ochoa - North Richland Girls Softball League Alex Carrillo - North Area Youth Association Rick Miller - Richland Youth Association B-2 REVIEW OF THE 2007 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ms. Sharon Davis, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, highlighted some of the Department's accomplishments for 2007 and noted that this report does not cover all the accomplishments, just the major ones. Mr. Lombard complimented staff on the attractive packet and asked that his comments be expressed to Tina Earle, Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator. He also commented that the addition of Tina to our staff is really paying off. B-3 REVIEW OF THE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE LIBRARY PARK PLAZA Staff presented the concept development plan for the Library Park Plaza. Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the history and funding for the project. The project is being designed in-house with la terra providing the construction documents. The budget for the project is $267,200 and an additional $150,000 budgeted for the significant public art commission for the plaza. Mr. Joe Pack, Senior Park Planner, reviewed the concept development plan which includes an upper and lower plaza area, sidewalks, open grass areas, widened treads on the stairs and lots of park benches. Some of the materials that may be used include limestone and cobble stone paving. Mr. Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist, reviewed plant material which would be native or adaptable such as Bosque Elms, Aristocrat Pear, Chinese Pastiche or Live Oak. Color will also be added with perennials. The Park Board concurred with the plan and thought it looked great. B-4 REVIEW OF THE DAVIS BLVD STREETSCAPE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PLAN Staff presented the Davis Blvd Streetscape Concept Development Plan. This is part of the Let's Grow Davis Initiative, which was conceived by staff, and extends from Emerald Hills Way to Maplewood and includes landscaping within the right-of-way. The project is Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 4, 2008 2 partially funded by TxDOT with a 50/50 matching grant. The City's portion is $193,500 and includes $50,000 cash and in-kind services for a total cost of $387,000. The Keep NRH Beautiful Committee also received a Governor's Award Grant for 100% funding for improvements to the Emerald Hills intersection. This brings both projects close to $500,000. Staff met with stakeholders along Davis Blvd to present the Let's Grown Davis Initiative and solicit their input. Current funding only allows development for about 60% of the project, but the entire area will be master planned. Mr. Joe Pack previewed details of the Concept Development Plan. Mr. Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist, reviewed the selection of plant material. Mr. Marlin Miller was concerned with maintenance and watering. Staff assured the Board that they are selecting materials that are drought resistant and are the best for this situation and easy to maintain. Staff noted that Green Mamas is a good example of what can be achieved in this area. B-5 REVIEW OF CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Mr. Bill Thornton reviewed the Capital Improvement Programs in Progress by presenting a "new" Newsletter format that will be available from the City's website in the near future. All the projects are divided into categories and list the most current update for each one. Mr. Lombard commented that this looks like a Tina project! Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the new Recreation Center Project. Staff received 13 proposals for the Architectural Design. A consultant selection committee was formed; they reviewed the proposals and narrowed the selection to four companies who were then scheduled for interviews. After the interviews and presentations by the consultants, the selection committee forwarded a recommendation to the City Manager's office for their review. The J.B. Sandlin Park Improvement project, which includes irrigation and turf establishment, should go out for bid next month. Mr. Marlin Miller requested that the Park and Recreation Board discuss the recommendation (made at their February 5, 2007 meeting) regarding the lighting of Tipps Canine Hollow. Mr. Miller would like staff to proceed with the project and not wait for the Dog Park Association to raise funds to contribute to the project. The Park and Recreation Boards original recommendation was to include the Lighting at Tipps Canine Hollow in the CIP budget with the caveat that the Dog Park Association participate by holding fundraisers to help contribute to the lighting project. Mr. Miller requested that this item be placed on the next agenda for reconsideration by the Park and Recreation board. Ms. Marty Kusmierski asked about the status of the Little Bear Creek Trail. Staff responded that there have been some delays with securing rights-of-way and a proposed gas well site. Staff has worked through most of these issues with only a few minor ones left to address; but the project is proceeding. Park and Recrearion Board Minutes February 4, 2008 3 C. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Sharon Davis announced that the Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance will be held this Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Birdville Fine Arts/Athletic Complex. D. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lombard moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Mr. Crane seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. , Brad Greene, C airman ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Administr tiv ecretary Park and Recrearion Board Minutes February 4, 2008 4