Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1999-09-10 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 SEPTEMBER 10, 1999 Workshop ATTENDANCE PRESENT Board: Kyle Appling Board Member Jeff Arwine Board Member Mark Haynes Board Member Dwayne Leslie Board Member John Lewis Board Member Scott Turnage, Jr. Board Member Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Recreation Superintendent Vickie Loftice Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Patty Moos Park Planning & Construction Superintendent Adrien Pekurney Recreation Supervisor Chris Swartz Aquatic Park Manager Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Vick Managing Director of Community Service and Facilities Dalan Walker Landscape Architect ABSENT: John Pena Board Alternate ITEM 1. 1999 NRPA Gold Medal Video Mr. Browne introduced the 1999 NRPA Gold Medal Video Nomination and explained to the Board the significance of the Award, which will be presented on October 23~d at the 1999 NRPA Congress in Nashville, Tennessee. ITEM 2. Introduction of StafF Mr. Browne introduced Bill Thornton and Vickie Loftice, Assistant Directors of Parks and Recreation, who in turn introduced their staff members who were present. Staff members present include: Vickie Loftice, Sharon Davis, Adrien Pekurney, Dette McElroy, Bob Hagin, Bill Thornton, Tim Hightshoe, Rob Elder Dalan Walker, Chris Swartz and Christina Lopez. The Board then introduced themselves which included: Dwayne Leslie, Mark Haynes, Jeff Arwine, Scott Turnage, Jr., John Lewis and Kyle Appling. Mr. Browne also commented on several items that were included in the workshop packet that the Board may find of interest: a copy of the Department's Goals & Objectives and Organizational Charts for the department and its various divisions. ITEM 3. Orientation Mr. Jim Srowne, Director of Park and Recreation, presented Qualities of the "Perfect" Parks & Recreation Board Member. This is a program that Mr. Browne has presented in the past at several national schools or conferences. ITEM 4. Team Building Exercise #1 The Board and staff participated in Team Building Exercise #1. ITEM 5. Capital Improvement Budget Park System Budget Park Facilities Development Corporation Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the 1999/2000 Capital Improvement Program Budget. ITEM 6. Park/Capital Improvement Program Report Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the various projects that the Department is working on at this time. These projects include: Park and Recreation Board Workshop Minutes September 10, 1999 2 Trail Projects: Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail, Phase I Bike Route Signage and Signs, North Hills Multi-Use Trail, Cottonbelt Trail, South Electric Trail, TEA-21 Grant Applications. New Park Development Projects: City Park Site, Thornbridge Neighborhood Park, Brandonwood Neighborhood Park, City Entryway Signage and Park System Master Plan, Park Renovation and Enhancement Projects: Northfield Park, Linda Spurlock Park Restroom, Linda Spurlock Park Irrigation System and City Image Study. ITEM 7. Lunch The Board broke for lunch at approximately 12:00 Noon. ITEM 8. Team Building Exercise #2 The Board and staff participated in Team Building Exercise #2. ITEM 9. Recreation Center Presentation Ms. Vickie Loftice, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the presentation on the proposed recreation center located within the Town Center. Mr. Leslie wanted to know if the cost estimates were based on 2004/2005 figures. Staff has been challenged to locate a like facility to compare numbers with. Recently a facility has been found in Texas that has been only open for one year. They will be sending operational cost and revenue data. Mr. Appling wanted to know what percent of cost recovery staff would be comfortable with? Staff responded that 65 - 75% would be a realistic goal, using the "User Pays" philosophy and pricing at or near "market value". Mr. Leslie wanted to know what the long-range plans are for the existing community center building. Staff responded that there has been a lot of discussion about the building and that the City is very sensitive to the need to maintain services south of Loop 820. Staff has recently met with TxDOT regarding the expansion of Loop 820 and will continue to look at options to get the most benefit possible. Mr. Vick, Managing Director of Community Services and Facilities, commented that if the Town Center project exceeds our expectations, it would make the City's decisions a lot easier. Park and Recreation Board Workshop Minutes September 10, 1999 3 ITEM 10. Tour of Facilities Staff took the Park and Recreation Board on a tour of various park and recreation facilities. ITEM 11. Parkland Dedication Ordinance Mr. Thornton reviewed the draft of requirements for the Parkland Dedication Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to develop or improve neighborhood parks or neighborhood park services in the area that generated the parkland dedication revenue or impact fee. The City would have the discretion over land or cash in-lieu of land or combination. Mr. John Lewis wanted to know if the Parkland Dedication Ordinance was in consideration before the'/2 cent sales tax was approved. He didn't know if there were any promises made at that time regarding this item. Mr. Browne stated that the Parkland Dedication Ordinance has been in the works since the early 90's. Mr. Leslie wanted to know why we would accept the land up front, but not make the developer put their money up front in the cash in-lieu of land option. Staff responded that plats change, all fees are normally collected at the time the building permit is issued and all other cites do it this way. The Parkland Dedication Ordinance will not address all of our park needs, but will address a very specific need for neighborhood parks. The program has been implemented in neighboring communities very successfully. Mr. Scott Turnage wanted to know where the City would be at, at build out. Staff responded that it could be at 80-85,000. Mr. Haynes wanted to know if we have a goal for the number of acres of parkland per 1,000 citizens. Staff responded that we go by NRPA standards. Currently the City of North Richland Hills has finro developed neighborhood parks, Linda Spurlock Park and Norich Park and one under development, Thornbridge and Brandonwood Neighborhood Parks site as a potential future park. Mr. Leslie feels the Parkland Dedication Ordinance is a good tool and would like to see it placed on the next Park and Recreation Board Agenda for a recommendation for City Council approval. The Board reached a consensus on this item. ITEM 12. Revenue Policy Ms. Loftice reviewed the draft of the proposed Revenue Policy. It is important to establish a policy especially with the department building new facilities. Staff is also currently reviewing fees and charges and will be bringing forward a recommendation to the Board soon. The implementation of a Revenue Policy would enable staff to establish prices for parks and recreation programs according to the guidelines set forth in the policy. Mr. Lewis commented that he would like to see more classes fall under partial cost recovery and not full cost recovery to make them available for disadvantaged youth. Mr. Turnage agrees that classes like this are for the greater good. Park and Recreation Board Workshop Minutes September 10, 1999 4 The last Ordinance, which set room rental rates and field reservation fees, was estab{ished in 1987. This Ordinance allows the Director to set the fees for all classes, activities and special events not specificafly addressed in the Ordinance. Mr. Browne would like to have a policy that meets City Council philosophy on cost recovery and takes into account market condition. The Board reached a consensus that a Revenue Policy is needed and staff is heading in the right direction with the draft. ITEM 13. Miscellaneous Items. Mr. Browne thanked the Board members for spending time with staff today and feels the meeting was very beneficial. He also said staff is available and accessible. Mr. Browne said we might have to hold additional meeting outside of regularly scheduled meetings while there is so much going on, but hopes to get back to the regularly schedufed meetings soon. After discussion the next Park and Recreation Board meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. Staff will put the agenda and packets together and distribute to the Board. Mr. Leslie thanked staff for putting together alf the information in the workshop, he also encouraged all the Board members to attend as many meetings as possible. The workshop was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Chairman ATTEST: C~~~ ~ ~ Christina A. Lopez, Admi is tive Secretary Park and Recreation Board Workshop Minutes September 10, 1999 5