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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2001-06-05 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD AT THE DAN ECHOLS SENIOR CENTER LOCATED AT 6801 GLENVIEW DRIVE June 5, 2001 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Dwayne Leslie Chairman Mark Haynes Board Member Robin Eddins Board Member John Ramsey Board Member John Lewis Board Member Brenda Cole Board Member John Pena Board Alternate Absent: Scott Turnage, Jr. Vice Chairman Present: Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Recreation Superintendent 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 June 5, 2001 at 6:03 p.m. ITEM 2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEMBER ROBIN EDDINS Mr. Leslie introduced Ms. Robin Eddins who was appointed by Councilman Mitchell. ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES APPROVED MOTION: Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lewis, to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2001 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. ITEM 4. DAN ECHOLS SENIOR CENTER EXPANSION Members of the Park and Recreation Board, staff and Mr. Marlin Miller, President of the DESAC Advisory Council met at 5:30 p.m. and toured the bay area of the Dan Echols Senior Center Municipal Annex that is being requested for expansion. Mr. Miller made a presentation, reviewed the center's activities and the need for the renovated area. Support Services estimate the cost of the project to be approximately $350,000. Some of the concerns expressed by the Park and Recreation Board members included parking issues, building lease arrangements, renovation vs. building a new center, other site options and the internal design of the facility. MOTION: Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Haynes to table this item. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. Pena requested that more information be brought back to the next meeting with consideration to additional options such as relocating the center to a new site. Mr. Leslie clarified with staff that the parking would be sufficient to handle the expanded site since the parking was built for high capacity. Mr. Ramsey verified that this item was just being tabled and would be brought up for further discussion at a later meeting. Mr. Leslie confirmed that. Mr. Browne commented that staff would not be able to bring this back to the next meeting if the Board is looking for a comprehensive analysis. Staff will have to evaluate the possible need of a consultant or architect. Staff may be able to bring some options for the Board to consider and an update on the information that has been gathered to date. Mr. Vick commented that City Council will be reviewing the proposed budgets for the 2001/2002 FY at the end of July, if the Board wanted this project considered in that budget a recommendation would need to be made at their next meeting. If the Park and Recreation Board chooses not to make a recommendation then this project will fall in to Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2001 2 the "unfunded" projects category. The City is also putting together a five-year list for Capital Improvement Projects. This project will appear on that list as it appears today. Mr. Ramsey commented that he was involved in the renovation and conversion of a Diamond Foods building to a church and the cost was approximately $1.2 million. He doesn't think that we will be able to acquire land or renovate an existing building for even double of the cost of the requested expansion of Dan Echols which is estimated to be about $350,000 and will almost double the size of the facility. Mr. Leslie would like to proceed as quickly as possible since it is now budget time. Mr. Leslie would like this item on the agenda at their next meeting so it can be addressed. ITEM 5. RYA REGIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT - CROSS TIMBERS PARK REQUESTED USE OF BRONCO FIELD Ms. Loftice reviewed the request by the Richland Youth Association for use of the Bronco Field at Cross Timbers Park for the RYA Regional Baseball Tournament which will be held June 16-23. The Bronco Field will only be needed on June 16th & 17~' and possibly two other weekdays. Ballfield lights will not be used on that field. MOTION: Ms. Cole made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pena, to forward a recommendation to City Council requesting an exception to the policy and allow use of the Cross Timbers Park Bronco Field for the RYA Regional Baseball Tournament to be held June 16-23, 2001. Motion passed 6-0. ITEM 6. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS, TEENS, TENNIS CENTER AND CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM REPORTS Ms. Loftice updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Camp NRH Orientation was held on May 14t" to familiarize parents on the daily routines and rules of the camp. Parents were able to meet the camp director and twelve counselors who will be working with their children throughout the 10-week camp The Youth Dance Classes held their May dance recital at the Shannon Auditorium on May 18th. Carolyn Riehl, Instructor with 30 years of experience choreographed 20 different performances. The North Hills Corporate Challenge concluded on May 12th with the "Survivor" competition. The 2001 Champions included BISD in Division A and Bates Container in Division B. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2001 3 The Bursey Road Senior Center is planning a Father's Day Breakfast for June 18th. A 100th Birthday Gala was held on May 15th at the Dan Echols Senior Center for participant, Rebecka Lawson. Ms. Lawson's family was in attendance for the celebration along with Mayor Scoma who read a proclamation proclaiming Rebecka Lawson Day in North Richland Hills. A special birthday greeting was sent by Congresswoman Kay Granger and read aloud by Councilman Trevino. Also joining the celebration were council members Lyle Welch, Jo Ann Johnson, Joe Tolbert, Russell Mitchell and David Whitson. The first ever "Chalk It Up!" Event was held on May 11 t" with five neighborhoods and approximately 200 children and adults participating. The Skylark Neighborhood Association was the winner for their representation of the theme: "A Celebration of Spring in North Richland Hills Parks". They received a$100 gift certificate to Sam's for a block party celebration. Ms. Loftice thanked Mr. Leslie for helping judge this event. The first season of "A Lotta Night Music" spring concert series was a great success! Held at Green Valley Community Park, the series entertained approximately 2,000 people for the five evening concerts. The last concert on May 25~' attracted 800 people to hear "Me and My Monkey", a Beatles Tribute Band. The series will be a reoccurring spring event each year. Teen programs scheduled for this summer include: "Canoe the Brazos", "Sandy Lake", "Grapevine Mills Mall" and "Air Combat School". Classes include `Babysitting Certification", "CRP', and "First Aid'. The Teen After School Program ended strong at North Richland Middle and Smithfield Middle Schools. At Northridge Middle most of the teens attending the program were leaving by 3:45 p.m. After this time an average of five teens were remaining for the program. The Principal at Northridge has recommended not having the existing program next year. Instead, structured classes may be developed for those teens interested in after school activities. The NRH Adult Open was held May 11-13 at The Richland Tennis Center with 320 participants. Haltom and Birdville High Schools were used as additional sites for the tournament. RTC is offering free tennis lessons May 29-June 1. These lessons are in conjunction with USPTA Tennis Across America. Mr. Pena wanted to know how many people take advantage of the free lessons. Ms. Loftice will get that information for him. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2001 4 ITEM 7. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: TxDOT has revised the bid letting date for the Cottonbelt Trail to December 2001. Staff is waiting for authorization to bid this project. The contractor has requested additional time for the City Entryway Signs project due to rain. They are in the process of constructing the foundations and masonry and then the signs will be going up. The Standard Park Signs are nearing completion, all that remains is minor electrical work. The City Image Study will be presented to City Council at their June 11th meeting. Staff is moving forward with design of the Forest Glen East Neighborhood Park site. All the neighborhood park projects will be grouped together and bid as one project. ITEM 8. AQUATIC REPORT Mr. Browne updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Dive-In movies will begin Friday, June 22"a Staff has received a lot of compliments on the new slide, the "Purplepalooza". NRH2O was mentioned in the Friday, May 25th edition of USA Today as one of the "10 great public pools to take a holiday dip". Season pass sales are slightly ahead of last year. Staff has not implemented the wristband debit system because they are testing the system. ITEM 9. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Pena, at an earlier date, requested the ethnic makeup of the staff at NRH2O. Mr. Browne provided that information. Mr. Pena also said he requested the ethnic breakdown of the staff at the Recreation Center and RTC. Staff did not receive that part of the request, but Mr. Browne will get the information for him. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2001 5 1TEM 10. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Ramsey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Haynes to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried 6-0. Dwayne slie, Chairman ATTEST: ~ ~ Christina A. Lopez, Administ ativ ecretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2001 6