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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2000-06-05 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 June 5, 2000 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Dwayne Leslie Chairman Scott Turnage, Jr. Vice Chairman Mark Haynes Board Member John Lewis Board Member John Pena Board Alternate Absent: Andrew Wolff Board Member Kyle Appling Board Member Present Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Vickie Loftice Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Chris Swartz Aquatic Park Manager 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, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ~4PPROVED MOTION: Mr. Lewis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Haynes, to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2000 meeting. Motion carried 3-0. ITEM 3. - . RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS, TEENS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORT Ms. Loftice updated the Board on the following: Summer classes and Camp NRH begin the week of May 30~'. Camp NRH is currently full with 60 children enrolled in each of the 10 week sessions. The Northeast Coalition, which consists of community leaders, held their first meeting in May. The coalition was formed to collaborate in some key areas that each organization overlaps in. They plan on holding their next meeting in June. The Annual Dance Recital for the tap, ballet and jazz dance students was held on May 13~'. Dance Instructor, Carolyn Riehl had 140 students ages 3 and up participating. Bursey Senior Center held a Master Works Music Series event featuring Michael Varner, a performer of diverse instruments and group of flutists. A variety of pieces from modem to classical music were performed. Bursey Senior and Dan Echols Senior Centers held their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheons in May. Bursey Road recognized 45 seniors and Dan Echols recognized 52 seniors for their volunteerism. Dan Echols Senior Center held a special birthday celebration for Becky Lawson, their oldest patron who turned 99. Becky is a great inspiration to all of the participants, as she comes to exercise class every morning. North Hills Corporate Challenge concluded with BISD and Bates Container reclaiming their titles. The event included 11 teams participating in 12 events over a finro-week period. Summer Camp registration is going on for baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, football, mini-hawk and golf camps. Final preparations are underway for the TAAF Girls Fast Pitch State Softball Championship. The Championships will be held from July 14th -16th at seven different sights. The tournament could have up to 211 teams in all age divisions. Staff from "the edge" brought the Principals of the three middle schools breakfast to thank them for their continued support of the after school program. Richland High School held several special events at Richland Tennis Center during the month of May: Middle School Match, May 11th, Middle School Carnival, May 16`h, High School Intra Squad Match, May 18tn The NRH Adult Open was held May 19`n _ 21St with 116 singles participants and 102 doubles participants. Wittnauser Swiss Watches was the sponsor and gave some of the division winners watches along with their plaques. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2000 2 Four out of the five Ladies USTA Tennis Teams competing out of Richland Tennis Center . made it to the playoffs in their respective divisions and have advanced to Sectional Competition in Corpus Christi in August. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the following: Easement request letters have been prepared for distribution to affected property owners regarding Calloway Branch Trail. Staff is also in the process of preparing letters for BISD, TXU and Kimberly-Clark. Design work is beginning again on the North Hills Multi-Use Trail with the trail alignment being acceptable by North Hills Hospital. The trail is being aligned to not affect mall property. The Plans for the Cottonbelt Trail have been submitted to TxDOT for their review. Easement acquisition letters are being prepared for distribution to affected property owners. Cross Timbers Park construction is nearing completion. The primary work remaining is the roof for the pavilion and shade structures. The bridge and playground have been installed at Thornbridge Park. The contractor will begin the installation of the irrigation. The detailed engineering of the city entryway signs is being prepared and should be opened for bids in late June. This bid will also include standard park signage for the following parks: Norich Park, Fossil Creek Park, Cross Timbers Park, Thornbridge Park, Dan Echols & Bursey Senior Centers and North Electric Trail. The Tree Planting Project continues with tree replacement along Mid Cities Blvd. The project should be complete in June. Mr. Turnage inquired about the shade structure set up at Richfield Park. Staff said the shade structures are only on half of the bleacher stands for protection from foul balls from other fields. Richland Youth Association, with the City's approval, installed the structures. Mr. Turnage commented that the new scoreboards are terrific. Mr. Turnage has heard lots of great compliments about Walker's Creek Park softball fields and scoreboards. Park and Recrearion Board Minutes June 5, 2000 3 ITEM 5. AQUATIC REPORT Mr. Swartz updated the Board on the following: NRHZO attendance is up 39% for the month of May. A Season Pass Holder Night was held on May 26th. Watausi, a reggae band, entertained the approximately 400 guests who stayed to enjoy the evening. A first time ever event happened at NRH2O on Monday, May 29~'. The park reached capacity and management closed the front gate to all new visitors for approximately one hour. This was done to limit the number of guests on site so the lines can be kept manageable and staff can maintain better control of the parks operation. Mr. Turnage inquired about severe weather at NRHZO and how do we monitor it? Mr. Swartz said that we have hand held lightening detectors, local cable TV, satellite weather center and staff's pagers receive all weather-related warnings. NRH2O also has a staff person stationed on top of the Green Extreme tower watching the weather. Park Manager, Chris Swartz made a presentation for Channel 8, during one of their specials, on NRH2O's weather safety procedures. NRH2O has received several compliments on their weather safety procedures including one from Mayor Scoma. Mr. Pena inquired how PacerCats is working? Mr. Swartz said that the new season passes look great as they have a new background. Staff is still having problems with processing season passes, but that has been a challenge from day one. Mr. Haynes inquired about NRH2O expansion plans. Mr. Swartz said the large grassy area has been set aside for a knee board/raging river ride and another pavilion will go in next to the concession area. Last year the park spent $150-$200,000 on additional shade. NRH2O does have a master plan for ultimate build out of the park. ITEM 6. PARK USE POLICY Staff is currently researching and compiling information for the development of a Park Use Policy. The Park Use Policy will establish guidelines for various types of uses while protecting our resources. Ms. Loftice prepared a survey for the Park and Recreation Board to complete. The Board was asked to complete the survey, add any additional comments and fax or mail it back to the Parks and Recreation Department. The Boards input will be used in the development of the Park Use Policy. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 5, 2000 4 Mr. Pena asked if additional comments could be made on the survey? Staff responded that the more information, the better. ITEM 7. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Turnage asked about background checks for youth sports and if they were limited to statewide. Mr. Browne said that they are limited to statewide and that the FBI is the only organization that has the authority to do national background checks. Motion: Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Turnage, to cancel the July 3`~ Park and Recreation Board Meeting. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Browne updated the Board on the Sandlin Tribute. A recommendation was forwarded to City Council listing the two options; memorial wall or pedestal monument for the tribute to honor Mr. J.B. Sandlin. City Council made a decision to do the pedestal monument at this time. Staff will process a change order to have it included in the Thornbridge Park Construction. Staff feels City Council may consider the memorial wall in the future. Liberty Bank has agreed to pay for the plaque. ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Turnage made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pena to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Dwayne Leslie, Chairman ATTEST: s ~ ~z. Christina A. Lopez, Administrative ecretary Park and Recrearion Board Minutes June 5, 2000 $