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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1998-12-07 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 DECEMBER 7, 1998 ATTENDANCE PRESENT Board: Rick Work, Chairman Sharon Battles Board Member Dwayne Leslie Board Member Ann Perchard Board Member John Pena Board Alternate Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Tim Hightshoe Park Superintendent Patty Moos Park Planning & Construction Superintendent Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation ABSENT: Sherry Christensen Board Member Pam Jackson Vice Chairwoman Sherry Milano Board Member ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Work called the meeting to order December 7, 1998 at 6:06 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, to approve the minutes of the November 2, 1998 meeting. (Motion passed 5-0). ITEM 3. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS Ms. Walsh updated the Board on the following: Tina Harvey has been selected for the Youth Outreach Coordinator position. The Bursey Road Center exercise class continues to be popular with 25 people per day participating. The Dan Echols Swingin' Seniors performed at three different facilities during the month of November. The City is co-sponsoring a UIL Sanctioned Girl's High School Fast Pitch Softball Tournament with BISD in February. Also, negotiations are underway with Texas Wesleyan College (TWC) to sponsor a NCAA sanctioned Women's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament in February 1999. The Teen After School Program drama students are preparing for their Drama performances which will be this evening for North Richland Middle School and Tuesday evening for North Ridge Middle School. Richland Tennis Center held their "Fun, Food and Fashion" on Thursday November 12tn with 38 ladies enjoying drills, lunch and a fashion show. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Ms. Moos updated the Board on the following: Bids will be open on January 13 for the 100 Acre City Park Project. Dunkin, Sims and Stoffels, Inc. were selected as the Consultant for the South Electric Trail project. Staff met with Ron Hobbs, the Architect for the Linda Spurlock Park Restroom Project, he has preliminary layouts for staff to review. The Park Tree Planting Project is out for bid. The project is scheduled for completion in February. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 1998 2 Mr. Leslie wanted to know what type of options we would have on the Linda Spurlock Park Restroom? Ms. Moos responded the layout of the building and rooflines, which will be similar to the shelter, but not as ornate. Mr. Pena wanted to know if crime in park restrooms would be part of the design consideration. Mr. Browne responded that materials to be used would be the maximum vandal resistant materials available and would also be appropriate with regard to temperature issues. Mr. Pena wanted to know if space has been allocated for parking. Staff responded that space has been set aside, off of Harmonson, for parking according to the Park Master Plan, however parking lot development is not funded nor is it recommended. ITEM 5. NORTH RICHLAND GIRL'S SOFTBALL LEAGUE AND LITTLE MISS KICKBALL LEAGUE JOINT USE OF FOSSIL CREEK PARK Mr. Scott Bowers, North Richland Girl's Softball League (NRGSL) and Mr. Gary Holt, Little Miss Kickball (LMK) have met and held discussions regarding joint use of Fossil Creek Park by both associations. They have looked at the calendar and beginning in late March 1999 have come up with 24 dates that they are more than willing to share. Both associations are still working on the concession stand issue. Mr. Leslie wanted to know if there were enough days to get all their games in. Mr. Bowers commented that last season he had to reschedule 89 out of 120 scheduled games due to rainouts. Worst case scenario, the program can be extended or the season shortened. Mr. Bowers stated that he would like to see four new practice fields at Walker's Creek Park with the dirt from the infields when they are redone. Mr. Leslie wanted to know if NRGSL would still need Fossil Creek Park after the four practice fields are put in. Mr. Browne commented that that would depend on the growth of girl's softball. At this time there is not funding set aside for the foreseeable future for the installation of the practice fields. Staff will look in to any funding opportunities to address warm-up and practice facilities for an interim basis at a relatively low cost. Mr. Pena wanted to know what would happen if another group wanted to use the fields. Mr. Browne commented that as groups come forward we would have to evaluate each request. Staff will be developing a"Field Use Policy". Mr. Browne also stated that each association signs a contract with the Parks and Recreation Department on a season by season basis. Mr. Work thanked Mr. Bowers and Mr. Holt for being flexible and working together. Mr. Leslie made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perchard, to authorize staff to initiate a contract with Little Miss Kickball for use of Fossil Creek Park working within the guidelines agreed upon by Mr. Bowers, NRGSL and Mr. Gary Holt, LMK and forward a recommendation to Mayor and Council. (Motion passed 5-0). Mr. Browne thanked both associations for working together. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 1998 3 ITEM 6. MAINTENANCE FEES FOR ATHLETIC FIELD MAINTENANCE Discussion was held regarding the implementation of Maintenance Fees for the use of Walker's Creek Park and Fossil Creek Park. The Parks and Recreation Department, at no cost to NRGSL, performed the athletic field maintenance responsibilities at Walker's Creek Park this past fall season while awaiting completion of construction issues. The Parks and Recreation Department set a precedent at Green Valley Soccer Complex with the implementation of maintenance fees for the soccer associations. Both soccer associations are happy with the Maintenance Fee Program. Mr. Tim Hightshoe, Park Superintendent has prepared a business plan for Walker's Creek Park and Fossil Creek Park. Staff is recommending the following fees: NRGSL $15 Non-Resident $12 Resident Little Miss Kickball $12 Non-resident $10 Resident The fees are based on one season of league play per year and do not include tournaments or other special events. The NRGSL fee is slightly higher due to the infield preparation, chalk material and infield top dressing. The above listed fees for NRGSL are only 70-75% of the actual cost of the preparation of the fields. Mr. Work wanted to know what the going rates are in Hurst and Colleyville. Staff responded $8 to $18. Mr. Pena responded that he thought Colleyville charged $45 for field preparation to deter use. Mr. Browne commented that Colleyville charges $50 -$180 field preparation costs according to a newspaper article from several months ago. Mr. Bowers stated that they have been preparing the fields at Fossil Creek Park for 15 years and that the fee is higher than he anticipated. Ms. Perchard wanted to know who paid for the supplies while NRGSL was doing the maintenance. Mr. Bowers responded that all the individuals who did the maintenance paid for the supplies. Ms. Walsh commented that Little Miss Kickball is willing to pay $15 per child. Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perchard to table this item until the January Park and Recreation Board meeting with the recommendation that staff will prepare a more detailed fee schedule and conduct a survey of other cities on their fees. (Motion passed 5-0). ITEM 7. DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL PARK AND RECREATION JOINT WORKSHOP Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pena, to table this item until the January Park and Recreation Board meeting. (Motion passed 5-0). Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 1998 4 ITEM 8. & 9. RATIFICATION OF RESOLUTION 98-1 AND RATIFICATION OF AMENDED RESOLUTION 98-2 Discussion was held regarding the ratification of Park and Recreation Board Resolution 98-1 and Amended Resolution 98-2. Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Leslie, to accept for approval Park and Recreation Board Resolution 98-1 and amended Resolution 98-2. (Motion passed 5-0). ITEM 10. 1998 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS The Parks and Recreation Department included as an FYI item the 1998 Accomplishments and Goals for the Boards review. Each year the Department prepares this report, which is then combined with other city department's and presented to City Council. Mr. Browne highlighted just a few of the many accomplishments the Department has made: • Recreation special event sponsorships totaled $37,277. • There were 1,151 volunteer hours in 1998 for recreation and athletics events. • Volunteer hours for both senior centers totaled 17,923. This is a tremendous savings to the City. • The Parks Division implemented a Seven Day Work Schedule for Park Staff which will decrease funds spent on overtime pay and enhances the customer service to public and youth organizations. • Received a$300,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant for the construction of Thornbridge Neighborhood Park. • Completed the design of the 100 Acre City Park. • Richland Tennis Center received a$4,000 "Grow the Game" grant from the USTA - Texas Section. This money has been used to buy equipment and pay staff salaries to support the new BISD Middle School Tennis program and tennis for the Teen After School Program. • Opened the Green Extreme - The World's Largest Uphill Water Coaster. • NRH2O recorded an all time high of over $3 million in Revenue. • National Recreation and Parks Association - Gold Medal Award Finalist (3~d consecutive year) • Texas Recreation and Parks Society - Lone Star Programming Award Winner - National IronKids Triathlon. • Texas Recreation and parks Society - Park Design Excellence Award - Richland Tennis Center. •"The edge" will start in January at Smithfield Middle School. We will have the program offered at all North Richland Hills Middle Schools. • Planted 50 trees for the "Trees for Tots" Program at Norich Park. • Richland Tennis Center was awarded the 1998 "Facility of the Year" Award by the United States Tennis Association. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 1998 5 Mr. Pena commented that he would like to see these published in the "Time of Your Life" Brochure. Mr. Browne commented that staff could develop a Parks and Recreation Year End Report or brochure that could be included with the water bills and set out at the Recreation Center, Library and City Hall. 11. OTHER INFORMATION ITEMS Mr. Browne asked if anyone had any items for the January Park and Recreation Board meeting to call Mr. Work or himself. 12. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pena, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Rick ork, Chairman ATTEST: ~ ~ Christina A. Lopez, Administrative Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 1998 6