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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2002-01-07 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD AT THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 701 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 January 7, 2002 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Dwayne Leslie Chairman Mark Haynes Vice-Chairman Robin Eddins Board Member Brad Greene Board Member John Ramsey Board Member John Lewis Board Member Brenda Cole Board Member Absent: 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 Managing Director of Community Services and Facilities ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Leslie called the meeting to order January 7, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES APPROVED MOTION: Mr. Haynes made a motion, seconded by Mr. Greene, to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2001 meeting. Motion to approve carried 4-0. ITEM 3. - REQUESTED USE OF CROSS TIMBERS PARK BRONCO FIELD BY THE NORTH AREA YOUTH ASSOCIATION APPROVED Mr. Danny Wright and Mr. Jim McCaghren, with the North Area Youth Association (NAYA), was present and requested use of the Bronco Field at Cross Timbers Park for organized league play. Currently the Bronco Field is not available for organized league play. During the design process of Cross Timbers Park, City Council requested that one field remain open at all times for "pick up" baseball games and more specifically that the field not be used for organized practice or league games. The Bronco field is located on the north side of the park and does not have lights. Both NAYA and the Richland Youth Association (RYA) have continued to request use of this field to accommodate the increasing number of baseball players in the 11-12 year old age group. Mr. John Ramsey arrived at 6:10 p.m. Discussion was held. Chairman Leslie inquired if there have been any complaints regarding the baseball program at Cross Timbers Park. Staff responded that there has only been one complaint and that was early on when the lights were left on. Ms. Eddins asked if staff knew why City Council restricted use of the Bronco field and if we have similar restrictions at any of our other parks. Staff responded that the field is in close proximity to homes on Douglas and City Council wanted the field set aside for "pick up" or "walk up" games and that there are not any similar restrictions at any of our other parks. Mr. Jim McCaghren, NAYA, does not see any "pick up" games occurring. Approximately one year ago, NAYA approached staff and the Park & Recreation Board about the use of the Bronco field. Staff recommended, at that time, for the youth associations to wait until they had completed a full season of baseball so they could build a relationship with the neighbors. MOTION: Ms. Eddins made a motion, seconded by Mr. Haynes, for the Bronco field at Cross Timbers Park be made available for permanent league play by NAYA & RYA and forward a recommendation to City Council for their consideration. Motion to approved carried 5-0. Park and Recreation Board Minutes January 7, 2002 2 ITEM 4. 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 Winter Spring 2002 "Time of Your Life" brochure was distributed on December gtn New Year! New You! Fitness Frenzy will be held on Saturday, January 12th from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center. North Hills Hospital will provide several different health screenings, cholesterol, chiropractic, blood pressure checks, and the NRH Recreation Center will showcase its health and fitness programs with demos, free aerobic classes, fitness giveaways, and much more. The Recreation Center will be getting new carpet in the martial arts room, management offices and on the gym walls. Staff is working with Building Services in bidding out the project. "A Night of Holiday Magic" was held on December 3rd with approximately 5,000 people in attendance. The evening featured Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, festival food, children's activities and entertainment with headliner "Trout Fishing in America". Several departments helped with the event, making it the most successful Christmas event to date. ~ Winter Adult Volleyball leagues began in December with 28 teams participating. Spring Adult Softball registration will be held January 28th - February 24th. The 2002 season gets underway March 4~'. The Bursey Road Senior Center enjoyed their Christmas Party and Luncheon on December 20th. "The Modulators" provided entertainment. Both Bursey Road and Dan Echols Senior Center will be getting new flooring throughout their facilities. Staff is working with Building Services in bidding out the project, which will begin in late Spring. The Dan Echols Swinging Seniors entertained at four different facilities during the month of December. The Dan Echols Senior Center held their annual Christmas Party at Ryan's Steak House on December 19~'. The Smithfield "edge" program will begin drama classes in January. The Youth Advisory Committee worked the cookie-decorating booth at the "Night of Holiday Magic". YAC helped children decorate 800 cookies. Park and Recreation Board Minutes January 7, 2002 3 The Youth Advisory Committee volunteered at the Community Enrichment Center on December 22nd sorting toys and helping in the food pantry. They also helped the Santa Cops program by wrapping Christmas gifts for the disadvantaged. The Second Annual "Lotta Night Music Concert Series will begin March 29th and run every other Friday through June 7th. The Cultural Arts Division received a$2,000 corporate sponsorship from Ryder Systems, to help produce the "Lotta Night Music Concert Series". This is the second year Ryder has sponsored the event. Richland Tennis Center has had a record breaking 1St quarter in terms of revenue. So far this quarter they are up $13,378 in revenue mostly due to Pro Shop sales and lessons. ITEM 5. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Piers have been poured on the last remaining City Entry Way Sign. The foundation is scheduled to be poured on January gtn City Council has directed staff to include two alternate fixtures in the bid packages for North Tarrant Parkway lighting, and also requested additional product data prior to making a final decision. Completed plans and specifications were sent to Purchasing on January 7th for bid issuance. This project will include installing trees throughout the park system and the replacement of dead or dying trees. Staff is going with a larger tree caliper, 3-4" range, and container grown stock. Plans and specifications have been completed on the Fossil Creek Irrigation Project. Construction will be completed in-house in February. The conversion of sports field lighting systems at Green Valley, Northfield, Walker's Creek and Fossil Creek Parks will begin on January 14th and should be complete by January 18tn Bids will be issued on January 17th for the NRH2O Enhancement Project. The contract will be awarded in February. The project will need to be complete in May prior to NRH2O opening for the season. Only one proposal was received on the Bleacher Shade Project. Staff is waiting on direction from the City Manager's Office prior to proceeding. Staff has scheduled a deign kickoff meeting with TxDOT for the South Electric Trail. Staff anticiapted receiveing a letter to proceed following the meeting with TxDOT. Ms. Brenda Cole arrived at 6:20 p.m. Park and Recreation Boazd Minutes January 7, 2002 4 Staff is waiting on the creation of the Consultant Selection Committee for the Walker's Creek Trail and Bike Transit Station. Once this Committee is formed, staff can proceed with the consultant selection process. ITEM 6. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Lewis commented on how many families have been using Thornbridge Park. On Grandparents Day he said there were seven other families enjoying the park. Mr. Browne updated the Park & Recreation Board on the recommendation of the Council Naming Committee. The Council Naming Committee has recommended changing the name of Thornbridge Park to J.B. Sandlin Park. The ~iberty Bank Board of Directors has agreed to pay the cost of changing the signs and plaques with will be approximately $5,000. This item is scheduled to go to City Council for their consideration on January 28th after approval by the Liberty Bank Board of Directors. Mr. Greg Vick, commented that he spoke with the President of the Thornbridge Homeowners Association and they would rather the $5,000 be used to enhance the park, but they do not have any objection of the name change as long as the Bank pays the expenses. ITEM 7. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Haynes made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ramsey to adjourn the meeting at 6:36 p.m. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Dwayne L slie, Chairman ATTEST: Christina A. Lopez, Adminis ra ' e Secretary Park and Recrearion Board Minutes January 7, 2002 5