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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2002-12-02 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HfLLS, TEXAS HELD AT THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7341 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 December 2, 2002 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Mark Haynes Chairman Brad Greene Vice-Chairman Marlin Miller Board IVlember Marty Kusmerski Board Member Fred Durko Board Member Jim Allen Board Member Kim Kirby Alternate Absent: Janie McGuigan Board Member Present: Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Vickie Loftice Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Vick Assistant City Manager ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Haynes called the meeting to order December 2, 2002 at 6:04 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES APPROVED MOTION: Mr. Greene made a motion, seconded by Mr. Durko, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2002 meeting. Motion to approve carried 6-0. ITEM 3. BUS - SENIOR ADULT CENTERS & YOUTH PROGRAMS Mr. Miller asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion. He does not feel that the vans that the Parks and Recreation Department currently have are safe and would like staff to consider getting a bus for use by the seniors and youth. Staff researched area cities that have a handicap accessible bus for transporting seniors. The City of Grapevine purchased a 30 passenger "Champion" bus in 1998 at a cost of $82,913 and had it modified to carry 27 passengers which includes two wheelchairs. The bus is used for picking up seniors for transportation to and from the Senior Center and for local trips. The bus driver is a regular part-time benefited employee. The City of Lewisville purchased a 20 passenger ADA accessible van through a TxDOT grant program for a cost approximately $57,000. The bus driver is a part-time employee. The City of Grand Prairie owns nine Ford Chase 18 passenger ADA accessible vans which cost approximately $58,000 each. The vans were funded through matching grants. Bus drivers are full time benefited employees and are required to hold a CDL. Vans and buses that are acquired through grants have stringent guidelines and can on{y be used to transport senior citizens or people with disabilities. Mr. Browne wanted to know what functions Mr. Miller desired the bus to be used for and if it would be used for the same functions as the vans are currently used, j~st with a bigger bus. Mr. Miller said it could be used for the same functions and local trips. Mr. Browne commented that before staff gets in to the budget process they wi{I bring this item back to the Park and Recreation Board to get a consensus of the Board. Staff will also look at when the vans are up for replacement, possibly working with Support Services. ITEM 4. PRACTICE FIELD LOCATIONS Mr. Miller asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion. Mr. Miller wanted to know the history behind the soccer fields behind Richland Plaza. Mr. Browne told him that the property belongs to BISD. BISD was approached by a group of adults from Fort Worth who wanted to use the fields, but Mr. Ronnie Caruthers, with BISD, contacted Jim to see if the City of North Richland Hills would be interested in making the fields available to North Richland Hills user groups with the stipulation that the City take over the maintenance. Staff faces some challenges with this property which is very limited for any long term improvements due to the property being in the Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 4, 2002 2 fioodway. Mr. Durko commented that the site is not irrigated, is only brush hog mowed, has lots of thorns and appears to be under maintained. Mr. Thornton commented that the site cannot be "finish mowed" because it is too rough. Mr. Durko also commented that he would like to see if the site can be "top dressed". Mr. Browne said we cannot do any top dressing, add any fill or re-grade the property without permission from the Army Corp of Engineers. Mr. Browne said we will continue to reinforce the fact that these fields are available. The City is also in the process of adding seven new neighborhood parks and practice soccer fields will be included in some of these sites. Mr. Miller wanted to know if soccer can be practiced on the baseball/softball fields. Ms. Loftice reminded Mr. Miller about the practice field deficit ratios for basebafl and softball compared to soccer. Mr. Browne stated that we have only had the arrangement with BISD for a short time and asked for the Board to give us some time to work on the property and a solution. if after a year the property is not being used, we will re-evaluate the partnership with BISD. ITEM 5. PR 02-34 - RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS, TEENS, TENNIS CENTER AND CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM REPORTS Ms. Vickie Loftice updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: "A Night of Holiday Magic" is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2002 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Brave Combo and The Flatlanders are scheduled to perform. The event will include the tree lighting ceremony with fireworks, ice sculpture, a puppet show, numerous children's activities a food court and visits with Santa. The Fitness Center and Free Weight Room received several new pieces of equipment that included two new treadmills, one Concept II Rower, one AirDyne Schwynn Bike, a new rack for the hex dumbbells and another complete set of rubberized hex dumbbells. The Recreation Center will celebrate Instructor/Volunteer Appreciation Week December 2nd _ 6tn Winter volleyball registration continues with the season scheduled to begin December 17th. Fall softball has been extended due to excessive rainouts and should be completed December 2ptn The Bursey Road Seniors took several day trips that included The Grapevine Theatre, Sam Moons and a TCU theatre production. Dan Echols Senior Center held their annual craft and bake sale in November. They raised $1,109. Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 4, 2002 3 Dan Echols held their Thanksgiving lunch on November 20th with 121 people attending. "The Modulators", a bluegrass band, entertained. A pinochle tournament was held at Dan Echots on Saturday November 23~d with 24 participants. Sarah Hunsucker-Bryan, Senior Center Supervisor, and Joyce Miracle, Senior Center attendant, will be retiring at the end of December. A retirement reception is scheduled for December 18th at 11:00 a.m. The 'edge' had a lock-in at the Recreation Center on November 1St. Thirty-eight teens enjoyed hot dogs, flag football, and a midnight madness basketball tournament. Mr. Miller wanted to know what the `edge' is? Ms. Loftice explained the after school program. A Friday Night Out teen dance was held on November gtn The Youth Advisory Committee helped chaperone the Friday Night Out Dance. YAC is also running a cookie decorating booth at "A Night of Holiday Magic". YAC had two speakers at their November meeting, a representative from the Bridge Youth Shelter as well as the Battered Women's Shelter. The meeting evolved around social services. YAC will begin a new annual project called "YAC has your back covered". The program will provide backpacks, gift certificates, school supplies to low income youth. Plans are underway for the City of North Richland Hills' 50th Anniversary. A kick off Gala is planned for February 22nd with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The event will be held at Birdville High School. Tickets will be $15 for the concert. A reception is also planned and will include the unveiling of a commissioned painting commemorating the City's 50th Anniversary. Limited edition prints will be sold of the painting. Reception tickets will be available for $30 per person and includes the reception and concert. Bates Container is underwriting the Orchestra and Liberty Bank is underwriting the reception. Six concerts have been booked for the "Lotta Night Music" Spring Concert Series. The concerts will be coordinated with 50th Anniversary plans and include the following: March 28 - Mighty Marvelous 4- 50's and Motown April 11 - Booker T. Washington Jazz Combo April 25 - Glenn Dorsey Orchestra - Big Band May 9- King Creole - 60's - 70's May 23 - Sarah Hickman June 6- Carol Brandon Combo - Broadway Tribute Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 4, 2002 4 The concert series will be held at Green Vailey. Richland High School held the following tournaments at Richland Tennis Center: a junior varsity tournament on Tuesday, November 5th, a junior varsity district tournament on November 15th and a middle schoo{ matches on November 7~' and November 14'n Jason Brown, Head Tennis Professional, traveled to John Newcombs in New Braunfels with the white level RTC junior tennis team. Jason was awarded the Coach's Sportsmanship Award. Richland Tennis Genter realized 79% cost recovery. ITEM 6. PR 02-30 - PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPfTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: City Council awarded the bid for construction of the five neighborhood parks to Green Scaping at their November 25th meeting. Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein is continuing to work on design issues, pfans and specifications for the Forest Glenn East Neighborhood Park. They are also developing plans and specifications and reviewing FEMA and USACE issues for the Industrial/Holiday Neighborhood Park site. Staff is coordinating with TxDOT for the electrical connection for the G4enview and Loop 820 City Entryway Sign. The sign should be complete soon. Plans and specifications are being prepared for the installation of sidewa{ks and trai{ connections at Richfield Park, JB Sandlin Park and Walker's Creek Park. City Council voted to reject bids at their November 25th meeting for the Bleacher Shade Structures project at Cross Timbers and Walker's Creek Parks due to the cost exceeding the budget amount. Staff will evaluate other options and approaches. The hydraulic study is complete for the Calloway Branch Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail. Staff is working on addressing comments for TxDOT's latest review. City Council awarded the bid for construction of the Cottonbelt Trail to American Civi{ Constructors at their November 25th meeting. This project was jointly bid with Colleyville. The survey, environmental assessment and the hydraulic study are all being prepared for the Walker's Creek Trail and Bike Transit Station. Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 4, 2002 5 ITEM 7. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Miller complimented staff on the Time of Your Life Brochure. Mr. Browne updated the Board on Resolution No. 2002-096 supporting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Grant Program for parkland acquisition and the development of parks and recreation facilities. The Park and Recreation Board reached a unanimous consensus in supporting this Resolution and presenting it to City Council for their consideration. Mr. Mifler inquired about the youth association electrical usage. Staff is stilf collecting data. ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Durko made a motion, seconded by Mr. Greene to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Mark Haynes, C ' man ATTEST: ~ S ~ Christina Lopez, Ad trative Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 4, 2002 6