HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1999-03-01 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARKS 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
MARCH 1, 1999
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT
Board:
Rick Work Chairman
Dwayne Leslie Board Member
Sherry M,ilano Board Member
Sharon Battles Board Member
Staff:
Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation
Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary
Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Sharon Davis Recreation Superintendent
ABSENT:
Sherry Christensen Board Pvlember
Ann Perchard Board Member
John Pena Board Alternate
ITEM 1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Work called the meeting to order March 1, 1999 at 6:10 p.m.
ITEM 2.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Ms. Milano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Les{ie, to approve the minutes of the
February 1, 1998 meeting. (Motion passed 4-0)
ITEM 3.
DISCUSSION OF PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN SURVEY WITH
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Park System Master Plan Executive Committee has been invited to meet with the
Park and Recreation Board to review and finalize the citizen survey, and to discuss
distribution methods. Present were Ronnie Caruthers, BISD, Randy Shiflet, Deputy City
Manager and Don Tipps. Also present were Andrea Thomas, National Service Research,
Inc. and Julie Perkins, Carter and Burgess.
The survey was also distributed to the Mayor and Council for any comments. None were
received.
Minor changes were made to the citizen survey.
Mr. Browne stated that the Citizen Surveys could be distributed as an insert in the summer
"Time of Your Life" brochure. They will be mailed to 25,000 households. The survey could
be printed as an insert that could be easily removed. There would not be any postage
because we will use the existing bulk rate to mail the brochures. Mr. Leslie wanted to
know if they could be distributed through the water bills? Staff responded that we would
not physically be able to do that because of the size of the surveys. Mr. Work
recommended putting something on the front of the brochure to draw attention to the
survey. Ms. Andrea Thomas, National Service Research, Inc., will also do an evaluation of
up to 300 surveys through the school district. Mr. Shiflet recommended letting the Youth
Advisory Committee handle the distribution and gathering of surveys from within the
schools. Mr. Browne stated that the surveys would need to be distributed to the schools in
April or early May. Tina Harvey, Youth Outreach Specialist will be working with the Youth
Advisory Committee.
Mr. Shiflet announced that Mr. Ron Ragland has resigned and that Friday will be his last
day. A work session can be scheduled between the Board and staff to inform the Board
about the Budget so they have a better understanding. Mr. Shiflet will be working with us
for a few months due to Mr. Ragland's resignation.
Ms. Thomas will make changes to the citizen surveys, as requested, and deliver an
original to staff for inclusion in the "Time of Your Life" Brochure.
ITEM 4.
RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND
TENNIS CENTER REPORTS
Mr. Browne introduced Sharon Davis as our new Recreation Superintendent. Ms. Davis
was promoted from the Assistant Recreation Superintendent position.
Ms. Davis updated the Board on the following:
The 8th Annual Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance was held on February 6. The theme was
the "Cinderella Ball". Total attendance reached 850.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes March 1, 1999 2
Winter Break Camp was held February 15-19 with a total of 30 campers. They enjoyed a
~ week of great weather, trips to Adventure World Park, Green Valley Park, skating, group
sports, cooperative games and arts and crafts. Spring Break Camp is scheduled for April
5-9.
Easter In The Park is scheduled for Saturday, March 27t" at 10:00 a.m. at Green Valley
Community Park. Staff is looking for volunteers.
Bursey Road Senior Center began a new watercolor painting class this month.
North Hills Hospital has begun doing blood pressure checks on Thursdays at Bursey Road
Senior Center, North Hills will also send out a speaker each month to talk on various
nutritional and medical topics.
The AARP wifl be assisting with Tax preparation through Aprii 15th at Dan Echols Senior
Center.
The Swingin' Seniors entertain at three outings this month.
The Spring adult softball season is scheduled to begin ~~llarch 8th. Teams may register
through February 2gtn
Plans are underway with NYSCA and Iron Horse Go1f Course for the 1999 Hook A Kid ON
Golf program. Registration will begin the first week of May. Each participant wifl receive a
starter set of golf clubs.
North Hills Corporate Challenge is scheduled to begin April 24th. Corporate Challenge
hosted the February Chamber funcheon to promote the event. Registration wifl be
accepted trough Marcy 31St. A Sneak Peak Luncheon will be hefd on March 10tn
"Friday Night Out" Teen Dance was hefd on February 26th with 500 kids in attendance.
The Richland Tennis Center hosted the RTC President's Cup high school tennis
tournament on February 12th with 14 schools and 224 players participating.
NETT (Northeast Tarrant Tennis Association) held a tournament on February 24th with 56
ladies participating.
Richland Tennis Center is please to announce the addition of Chad Cage as an Assistant
Tennis Professional. Chad comes to us from Georgetown, Texas where he was a Tennis
Professional at Berry Creek ~Country Club. Chad also played college tennis at
Southwestern University for four years where he attained a national ranking in singles.
A Channel 5 news clip was shown of the Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes March 1, 1999 3
ITEM 5.
- OPERATfONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
~ STATUS REPORT
Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the foflowing:
TxDOT has given the Parks and Recreation Department authorization to bid the Calloway
Branch Trail in August of 1999. Based on past experience with TxDOT it may be
December 1999 or January 2000 before the project is bid.
Staff is proceeding with the preliminary plans and layout of the Little Bear Creek Trail.
People who live along the corridor will be notified that we will do survey work so we can
proceed with a{igning the trail. Staff does not have yet a bid letting date yet. Staff will also
be identifying some parcels of land that will need to be acquired through easements.
Appraisals have been completed and submitted to TPWD on Thornbridge Neighborhood
Park. Once the appraisals are approved by TPWD, staff will complete the plans and bring
those back to the Park and Recreation Board for input. Homeowners will be invited to this
meeting to provide input also. The plan will then be refined and finalized and forwarded to
City Council.
The Phase I Bike Route Maps wifl be printed soon.
Detailed plans and specifications are being prepared on the North Hi11s Mal1 Multi-Use
Trail. Staff is working with the mall to get the necessary easements.
The contractor is on site at the 100 Acre Park Site. The contractor is having a challenge
with kids tearing down his fences on a regular basis. Staff is working with the police
department on this issue.
Staff has met with the Cottonbelt Trai{ consultant, Mesa Design Group, to set the trail
alignment and how it crosses Davis B1vd, Precinct Line Road and Rufe Snow Drive.
A consultant has been selected for the South Electric Trail project. Staff is in the process
of finalizing an agreement with Dunkin, Sims and Stoffels.
The consultant for the Linda Spurlock Park restroom, Ron Hobbs Architect, is finalizing
detailed plans and specifications. The project will go out for bid in April.
The park tree-planting project will begin this week. The project will include replacement
and installation of new trees throughout the City and Park.
Mr. Work wanted to know if the infields have been fixed at Walker's Creek Park. Staff
responded that Mantooth Construction completed the infields in time for the Whataburger
Softball Tournament. NRGSL was complimentary of the fields. Mantooth performed
survey work and discovered that Meridian did not set the outfields at the proper grade.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes March 1, 1999 4
Mr. Leslie wanted to know if the Bonding Company agreed to pay for the work? Staff
~ responded that the Bonding Company authorized us to hire a contractor to come out and
fix the infields. Mr. Les{ie also wanted to know if we were able to use the infield dirt for the
practice fields. Staff responded that they actuafly had to add more dirt to correct the
grades.
Mr. John Barfield, the developer for Thornbridge Neighborhood Park, has also offered up a
small parcel of land, approximately 2 acres, in the Brandonwood Subdivision off N. Tarrant
Parkway. Staff is in the process of evafuating the lot to see if we could make it a small
playground or tot lot.
ITEM 6.
DISCUSSION OF PARK AND RECREATION BOARD WORKSHOP
The Park and Recreation Board would like to hold a work session with staff to review the
Capital Improvement Program and Goa{s & Objectives. The work session has been
scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 1999 @ 6:00 p.m. The Board has given staff direction
of the items they would like to cover. Mr. Browne will ask staff to prepare proposed Goals
& Objectives in alignment with City Council goals and bring those to the work session for
the Boards input. Staff will also prepare a presentation on the Capital lmprovement
Program - Long Range Plan.
ITEM 7.
OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
None
ITEM 8.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Leslie made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
Ric Work, Chairman
ATTEST:
Christina A. Lopez, Administ ati Secretary
Park and Recreation Board Minutes March 1, 1999 5