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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2000-04-03 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 April 3, 2000 ATTENDANCE Present: Board: Dwayne Leslie Chairman Scott Turnage, Jr. Vice Chairman Andrew Wolff Board Member Mark Haynes Board Member Kyle Appling Board Member John Lewis Board Member John Pena Board Alternate Absent: Jeff Arwine Board Member Present Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Recreation Superintendent Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Absent: Vickie Loftice Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Leslie called the meeting to order April 3, 2000 at 6:02 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES APPROVED MOTION: Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lewis, to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2000 meeting. Motion carried 6-0. ITEM 3. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS, TEENS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORT Ms. Davis updated the Board on the following: Easter In The Park will be held on Saturday April 15th at Green Valley Park. Birdville High School will be sending 25 volunteers to help with the event. The Recreation Center received much-needed improvements. Both levels of the Center received a fresh coat of paint and the second floor received new carpet and base cove. Bursey Senior Center is planning a"mystery day trip" for the Spring. To increase the level of excitement and suspense, seniors receive clues about the destination and then enter their best guess as part of a contest. At the end of the trip those seniors that guessed the correct destination will receive a prize. Dan Echols Senior Center held a diabetic screening in March with BISD and the American Diabetic Association. Forty seniors attended and were screened for diabetes. Bob Hagin attended the NE Chamber Luncheon and sponsored a booth promoting Corporate Challenge. He also held a Sneak Preview Luncheon at the Recreation Center. Registration is underway with the event planned to begin the last weekend in April. North Hills Hospital is the Title Sponsor. Twenty-two teams are participating in the adult volleyball league, which plays finro nights a week. The Special Sitter class has started at North Ridge Middle School. Upon completion of the program the teens will be CPR and First Aid certified in addition to having over 20 hours of training and the confidence to handle difficult situations. `the edge' will be holding a Mock Gallery Night at the NRH Recreation Center on April 28~'. The teens are looking forward to having their artwork displayed. The Ladies TCD, NETT and USTA spring seasons started March 2"d with nine ladies teams calling Richland Tennis Center home. Richland High School held a varsity tournament on March 10th with 14 schools participating. Mr. Turnage wanted to know how we handle Fort Worth Christian School with regards to fees at the Richland Tennis Center. Mr. Pena wanted to know how we treat any other church affiliated school. Mr. Browne commented that he would research and find out. Mr. Pena thanked staff for the work at the Recreation Center such as the hooks for clothes in the men's locker room. He said his request was completed within 48 hours. Park and Recreation Board Minutes Apri13, 2000 2 ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the following: The detailed plans and specifications are being completed for the Cottonbelt Trail and should be submitted to the District Office of TxDOT by the end of April. Once the District Office reviews them they should be forwarded to the State Office for approval. Once approved the plan can go out for bid. The Master Funding Agreement for the TEA-21 Grant projects was approved at the last City Council meeting. Once the agreements have been signed staff will begin the consultant selection process. The TEA-21 projects include the Walker's Creek Trail & Bike Transit Station and the Cottonbelt Trail Extension, which will be funded under the CMAQ program. Construction on the pavilion, shade structures and picnic shelters has begun at Cross Timbers Park. The sod is scheduled to be installed the second week of April. Thornbridge Park is under construction and is scheduled to be complete in June. Trees have been selected, delivered and are in the process of being planted for the Spring Tree Planting Project. Mr. Pena wanted to know if Cross Timbers Park is still within budget. Mr. Thornton responded that all work completed has been within budget. Mr. Haynes wanted to know what the expected completion date would be. May 2000. Mr. Leslie inquired about the bid for sod. Mr. Thornton said the sod was bid separately from the construction and was awarded at the last City Council meeting to Thomas Brothers Grass. They will install the sod when the weather clears and they are able to get their equipment in to the site. The installation will take a couple of days to a week. We don't have a date as to when it will be open for play, which is dependent upon the growing season and if the sod gets a good root system. Mr. Haynes wanted to know what is expected in Phase II of the project: nature trail, equestrian trail, pavilion and lake. Mr. Leslie asked when would the decision be made as to who gets to use Cross Timbers Park in regards to the youth associations. Mr. Browne responded that it would probably be early summer. Staff is in the process of developing a Park Use Policy and City Council just approved a mass gathering ordinance developed by the Police Department. The Park Use Policy should be appearing on the next couple of Park Board Agendas. ITEM 5. DISCUSSION OF BIKE RACKS Mr. Lewis handed out some information that he gathered from the Internet regarding bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Mr. Lewis wanted to open for discussion the possibility of partnering with the YMCA in getting bike racks installed throughout the City to encourage more people to ride their bikes. Staff brought up the possibility of the Parks and Recreation Department sponsoring grant applications for private businesses. Mr. Lewis asked if he Park and Recreation Board Minutes Apri13, 2000 3 moves forward with the fundraising efforts of the YMCA, in getting bike racks at private businesses, would the Parks and Recreation Department be willing to support or endorse the need for bike racks. Mr. Browne responded yes. It was the consensus of the Board to primarily focus on park installations and complement other areas where possible and to pursue the opportunity for granting for both public and private where appropriate. ITEM 6. DISCUSSION OF SPECIAL PRESENTATION Mr. Turnage brought up for discussion the possibility of honoring Mr. J.B. Sandlin in some way, possibly at Thornbridge Park since Mr. Sandlin is one of the developers of this subdivision. Mr. Sandlin is ill with cancer and the prognosis is not good. Mr. Turnage feels that Mr. Sandlin has contributed a lot to the City of NRH and Northeast Tarrant County. The Board discussed various types of monuments, plaques and park naming. MOTION Mr. Wolff made a motion, seconded by Mr. Turnage, that staff and Mr. Turnage do some research and come back at the next Park Board meeting with one or finro options to be presented to City Council for their consideration. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. Pena volunteered to help. Mr. Browne asked that if anyone has any ideas to please forward them to him. ITEM 7. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Consideration of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance will be on the April 10'h City Council Agenda. The Board is encouraged to attend. ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Wolff made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pena, to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ~l` P\~~il/~1J1, Dwayne eslie, Chairman ATTEST: ~ Christina A. Lopez, Admini tra e Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes Apri13, 2000 4