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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2002-08-05 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD AT THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 August 5, 2002 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Mark Haynes Chairman Brad Greene Vice-Chairman Janie McGuigan Board Member Marlin Miller Board Member Fred Durko Board Member Jim Allen Board Member Kim Kirby Alternate Absent: Present: Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Britt Flaten Park Planner Vickie Loftice Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Kelly Preston Secretary Chris Swartz Aquatic Park Manager Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Vick Assistant City Manager Dalan Walker Parks Capital Projects Superintendent Absent: ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Haynes called the meeting to order August 5, 2002 at 6:07 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES APPROVED MOTION: Mr. Miller made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen, to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2Q02 meeting. Motion to approve carried 6-0. ITEM 3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEMBERS Vice-Chairman Mark Haynes introduced the new Park and Recreation Board members, Fred Durko, Place 6, James Allen, Pface 7 and Kim Kirby, Alternate. 1TEM 4. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN & VICE CHAIRMAN MOT{ON: Mr. Marlin Miller nominated Mr. Mark Haynes for Chairman, seconded by Mr. Jim Allen. Mr. Allen motioned to close the nominations, seconded by Mr. Miller. Motion to approve carried 6-0. MOTION: Mr. Haynes nominated Mr. Brad Greene for Vice Chairman, seconded by Mr. Miller. Mr. A{len motioned to close the nominations, seconded by Mr. Miiler. Motion to approve carried 6-0. ITEM 5. PUBLIC MEETING - NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 1NITIATIVE PROJECT Mr. Browne gave an update on the Neighborhood Park fnitiative. He then introduced Mr. Karl von Bieberstein, the consultant for the project who afso gave an update. Mr. Bieberstein said the development plans are a work in progress and they will be scheduling meetings with the school district and neighborhood associations. They have developed concept plans for seven park sites, four stand alone and three elementary school sites. Mr. Bieberstein said there are six phases to the development of these sites: • Survey Data Collection . Programming • Concept Deveiopment Plans . Final Design • Bidding • Construction Mr. Bieberstein went on to review typical neighborhood park components. Mr. Miller wanted to know what type of surfaces will be used, he said the best thing would be concrete since asphalt is high maintenance. Mr. Durko wanted to know what a shallow lake is? Mr. Bieberstein responded that it is usually 4-5 feet deep at its deepest point. Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 2 Mr. Allen commented about the Holiday/lndustrial park site. He wants to see the drainage channel covered all the way to Calloway Creek. Mr. Allen stated that it was his opinion that Public Works or other city funds, not park funds, should pay for the needed improvements. Ms. McGuigan asked if there were plans at the Amundson/Main park site to locate a pavilion closer to the railroad or is it a safety issue? Mr. Bieberstein commented that they were responding to the neighborhood and feel the pavilion would be used more in the location it is planned for. The Cottonbelt Rail line is also a barrier, making pedestrian access to the park difficult for residents north of Amundson. Mr. Miller had concerns about the drainage at Snow Heights. Mr. Bieberstein said the site could be regraded so the area could be used more efficiently for open space activities. Mr. Miller thinks the Mullendore site is great. He has concerns with the proposed pond at the Brandonwood site and thinks it would be a mosquito breeding pond. Mr. Bieberstein said there would be a water recirculation system. Most mosquito breeding areas are really shallow, less than 2 feet. There is the possibiiity of using koy fish that will eat the mosquito larvae. The consultar~t would iike to create a decorative wetland area to help with the drainage. With none of the other Board members wishing to speak, Chairman Haynes opened the public meeting to allow for citizen input. Mr. Allen Cole, 7320 Whitfield Court - Thanked Mr. Browne and Mr. Thornton on the prompt mowing of the Holiday/Industria{ Site. He asked if there would be another chance to look at the concept plan. Staff commented that they may have the opportunity at the 2~d City Council meeting in August. Mr. Cole would like to see the drainage channel covered a{I the way to Calloway Creek. Mr. Browne asked the consultant about concrete channeling a1f the way to Cafloway and he said we would be getting in to some "real dollars" to have that done. Other possibilities could include regrading to allow for better maintenance or retaining walls. Mr. Cole also commented about the location of the proposed parking lot. He feels it is not safe at the curve. Mr. Thornton responded that they looked at several locations for vehicular safety and pedestrian safety, and this was the safest location for cars and people. Mr. Thornton also said that parking is being inc{uded in this park site due to the proximity to the major thoroughfares and the concept of introducing some piece of significant artwork. Ms. Elizabeth Huggins, 6712 Hadley Drive - Serves on the PTA Board for Foster Village. She wanted to know if the park would be open during schoof hours. She has concerns about the spraying of herbicides and pesticides and if the City gives any advance notice of spraying. Ms. Huggins also wanted to know if they would have to pay to reserve the pavilion for school use. Mr. Browne commented that the park woufd be used by the school during the day and would be open to the public after school, nights and weekends. He also said we have very strict guidelines for spraying herbicides and pesticides and communication between the schools and City have been very good. The City of North Richland Hills has a Joint Use Agreement and BISD and has worked well Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 3 with each other in the past. A concept plan will be made available a soon as we have a final approved concept plan by City Council. Ms. Huggins asked if playgrounds would be added to or replaced. Staff said there would be some new equipment and realigning of existing equipment. AI! the parks will have uniform park signage as well as the BISD logo on the City/School park sites. Mr. Travis Maclin, 7804 Baywood Court - Lives in the Brandonwood Subdivision and serves on the Brandonwood Homeowners Association. Mr. Maclin would like to place the concept plan on the Brandonwood Web site when approved. They would like to see more flower beds, lighting along the fence and irrigation. Staff responded that irrigation will not be placed under the trees. The irrigation will be around the open play areas and the perimeter of the park. There will also be flower beds added to the park sign and the entryway. Ms. Susan Walker, 6645 Victoria Avenue - Lives near Snow Heights has concerns about drainage issues and ornamental fencing. Mr. Bieberstein commented that the drainage issues will be addressed around the building and gym areas and ornamental fencing will be considered if the budget aHows. Mr. Browne commented that everyone is welcome to call the office anytime and pending a positive recommendation tonight this item may appear on the City Council Agenda for August 26, 2002. Chairman Haynes closed the public meeting. MOTION: Mr. Miller made a motion, seconded by Mr. Greene, to recommend passing PR 02-20 as presented and forward to City Council for their recommendation. Motion to approve carried 6-0. ITEM 6. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS, TEENS, TENNIS CENTER AND CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM REPORTS Ms. Vickie Loftice updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: The end of July marked the final set-up and testing of the new RecXpress on-line registration system. The system will be available to the public beginning August 12th, 2002. The on-line registration system wiN be available to established patrons in our Class Computer System. Recreation staff were in attendance for the Games of Texas 2002 in Waco on Friday, July 26th and Saturday, July 27th. Over 7000 athletes attended the games. NRH Staff provided volunteer assistance and was able to observe the management and organization of the event. In 2003 and 2004 NRH wi{I host the Games of Texas afong with Grapevine, Colleyville, Hurst, Bedford and Euless. Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 4 On Saturday, August 10th the NRH Recreation Center will host the 7th Annual Recreation Celebration from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The "open house" format will welcome the community to come and learn about programs and services the Recreation Center offers and they'If also get a chance to meet class instructors. Participants will enjoy 25 cent hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream as well as be able to take advantage of $2 class discounts. Five Star Ford will provide KID ID packs. Summer adult softball has 135 teams participating five nights a week at Northfield Park. This is a 80% increase over last summer registration. Harris Methodist presented a Diabetes Awareness Seminar on July 8th to participants at Bursey Road Senior Center. Ms. Dee Ann Case, Senior Center Supervisor, secured a total of $1,550 in-kind donations contributed to the Bursey Center for participants and programs for the month. The Swingin' Seniors showed their patriotic spirit as they perFormed at the DFW Airport July 3rd in their red, white and blue studded sequin outfits. They were televised live at 12:00 Noon on Channel 8 news. A Ribbon Cutting/Open House Ceremony was heid Ju1y 9t" to celebrate the renovation and expansion of the Dan Echols Senior Center. Mayor Pro Tem, Frank Metts lead the ribbon cutting ceremony with approximately 100 people in attendance. The extra space renovated is already being well used and is much appreciated by the participants at Dan Echols. Camp Quest was held at Fossil Creek Park and Linda Spurlock Park firom 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. this summer for low-income NRH children. A variety of activities were conducted including sports, arts & crafts, fishing, and water games to keep the kids cool. The children enjoyed lunch every day and a field trip to NRH2O on Friday's. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Kroger for providing a fu11 week of lunches to the Camp Quest kids. Mr. Miller wanted to know how the children were notified of Camp Quest. Ms. Loftice responded that Ms. Davina Barnett, Youth Outreach Coordinator spoke with school counselors and reviewed scholarship requests. Mr. Miller would like to meet with staff fate regarding scholarships from the Dan Echols Senior Center. Mr. Durko as well as Mr. Allen said they would also like to be included in the donation of scholarships. "the edge" teen after school program will resume August 27th at Smithfield and North Richland Middle Schools. A Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) retreat is planned for September 7th at Shady Lakes Ranch for new and returning committee members. The retreat will feature a ropes course and goal setting sessions. The Missoula Children's Theatre Residency concluded on June 26th. Forty children of all ages participated in the weeklong residency that culminated into a free public Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 5 performance on Saturday. Approximately 150 peopte attended the original musical Red Riding Hood. Plans are underway for a very special event honoring and memorializing 9-11. North Rich/and Hills Remembers....ln Sa/ufe of America`s Spirit, Liberty and Freedom will be held Sept 10~h at Birdville Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. In addition to The Texas Boys Choir and Saxophonist David Carr, Jr. being in concert, the evening will also honor Fireman, Police and Veterans. Richland Tennis Center hosted the NRH Junior Championship Major Zone Tournament July 12 - 14. There were 399 singles entries and 67 doubles teams. The tournament was played at six (6) different locations: RTC, Haltom High School, Colleyville City Park Courts, Birdville High School, Cotton Creek Club and McLeland Tennis Center. Richland Tennis Center revenues continue to exceed last year's numbers. At the end of July 2001 revenues totaled $213,362. Our current revenue totals are $247,308 which is an increase of $33,946. ITEM 7. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Concept development plans have been prepared for the seven neighborhood parks included in the Neighborhood Park {nitiative, and were presented at this meeting for public input. The Glenview East City Entryway sign is nearing completion. The electrical connections, installation of the metal letters and banner mounts wif{ be done next. Installation of the irrigation system at Fossil Creek Park is nearing competition. The conversion of the TUCOR systems is in progress. Plans and specifications are being prepared for the sidewalk and trail connections at Richfield, Thornbridge and Watker's Creek Parks. Plans and specifications have been completed and bids have been issued for the Bleacher Shade Structures Project at Cross Timbers and Walker's Creek Parks. The swing set at Green Valley has been installed and the bollards have been ordered. The picnic tables for the shelters at Cross Timbers Park have been instalfed. The Richland Tennis Center court resurfacing project is now complete. Bids were opened on July 15 and are being evaluated for the Cottonbelt Trai{. TxDOT will authorize staff to award a contract, but that will take a few weeks from now. Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 6 Survey work, the environmental assessment and the hydraulic study are being prepared for the Walker's Creek Trail and Bike Transit Station. ITEM 8. NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPDATE Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Park attendance through Ju4y 28th was 181,765. This is a decrease of 5.22 percent from the same time last year. The past 11 days of operation all showed an increase in attendance over the same period {ast season due to the "waterpark weather". Park revenues through July 28t" were $2.307 million as compared to $2.355 million through the same time period last season. This is a decrease of 2.01 percent. Strong revenue perFormers this season have been the fce Cream Shop and the Concessions area both showing increases as compared to last season. The 1ce Cream Shop switched to Dip N Dots this year. On the weekend of July 28th the 5th Annual Texas State Junior Guard Championships were held at NRH2O. This competition, which was created by our staff, included teams from nearby areas such as Carrolton and Garland and from as far away as College Station. Once again, a team from NRH2O won the 10-13 year old age division continuing the parks winning tradition, with another NRH2O team taking third in the 14- 15 year old age division. Ellis and Associates came and gave NRH2O staff their second aquatic operational safety audit of the season on Ju{y 18th. Over 15 different lifeguards were audited and ail performed very well. The lifeguards were tested on rescue readiness, skill knowledge, and performance on stand. The majority of this audit process was done without the knowledge of park staff. The NRH2O aquatics staff received a 98 average, which gives us an overall award for the audit of Exceeds Standards, the highest award available. This award is only given to facilities that perform among the top 5% of all facilities worldwide. Mr. Swartz gave an overview of the Ellis & Associates audit program. The first audit staff received a 100% the second one 98%. Last year NRH2O won the Platinum Award. ITEM 9. OTHER INFORMAT{ONAL ITEMS Mr. Browne announced that City Council held their annual Budget Work session last weekend. Staff will try and present the budget to the Park and Recreation Board at their next meeting. Chairman Haynes wanted to know what awards the department has won lately. Mr. Browne commented the TRAPS Excellence in Planning Award for the City Image Study Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 7 and Mr. Browne received a Presidents Award from TRAPS for his contributions to the organization. ITEM 10. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Miller made a motion, seconded by Mr. Greene to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion to approve carried 6-0. , 1 Mark Haynes, h irman ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Administrative S etary Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 5, 2002 $