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Home My WebLink AboutPRB 1998-05-04 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 May 4, 1998 ATTENDANCE ~ PRESENT Board: Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman Pam Jackson Board Member Bobbie Lambert Board Member Lorraine Miller Board Member Ann Perchard Board Member Rick Work Board Member Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager ABSENT: John Pena Board Alternate ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Battles called the meeting to order May 4, 1998 at 6:05 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Mr. Work made a motion, seconded by Ms. Miller, to approve the minutes of the April 6, 1998 meeting. (Motion passed 5-0) ITEM 3. SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR DON TIPPS Mr. Jim Browne presented a speciai Proclamation to Mr. Don Tipps for his years of service on the Park and Recreation Board. Mayor Brown arrived at the meeting and also presented the Proclamation to Mr. Tipps. ITEM 4. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS Ms. Walsh updated the Board on the following: The "Time of Your Life" brochures should be mailed out next week and will focus on the Recreation Center's 10th anniversary. Spring Break Camp was held with new programs introduced such as fishing, archery and ecology projects. Bursey Road Senior Center held their Volunteer Luncheon with sixty-five seniors in attendance. The Bursey Center has scheduled a luncheon, for May 22, to honor Sharon McKinney for her service as a volunteer teacher. Ms. McKinney has been with the center since it opened. Dan Echols Senior Center decided to cancel their Saturday Night Dances due to the cost of the band opposed to the number in attendance. Dan Echols held their Volunteer Luncheon with thirty-nine in attendance. Dan Echois held their Spring Craft and Bake Sale and had over $800 in sales. Corporate Challenge opening ceremonies was held on April 25th with eleven teams competing. The Corporate Challenge is halfway through. North Richland Hills is in first place so far in their division. The Richland Tennis Center Men's USTA spring leagues started competing April 4. Six Men's teams are calling Richland Tennis Center "Home". District 3A hosted their high school district tournament at the Tennis Center on April 6-7. 5. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the following: Calloway Branch Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail are in the preliminary design phase and the acquisition of any necessary easements. The second section of the North Electric Trail is underway along with the installation of the bridge. The grant agreements are being executed on the Thornbridge Neighborhood Park, then the park design will be completed. Staff anticipated approval from TxDOT for the Phase I Bike Route Signage, Signs and Maps. Once approval is received the map will be sent out for print and installation of the signs will begin. Preliminary trail alignment is being completed on the North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail. Once the trail meets TxDOT standards the plans and specifications will be prepared. Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex is near completion with fine grading, sod installation and general clean up to be completed. Plans and specifications are nearing completion for the 100 Acre City Park Site. Once complete they will be submitted to TPWD. When we receive approval the project will be bid out. Installation has begun on the Standard Park Signage. Signs will be installed at Richfield Park, Richland Tennis Center, Norich Park and Linda Spurlock Park at this time. Construction continues at NRH2O for the 1998 Enhancements. The contractor has had some challenges with the wind, rain and the shortage of concrete while working on the new water coaster. City Council approved the Agreement with TxDOT, for the Cottonbelt Trail, at their April 13 meeting. Staff plans to take the joint agreement with Southlake and Colleyville to the next Council meeting. Once the design has been completed it will be submitted to TxDOT for approval and then bid as one project jointly with Southlake and Colleyville. The Park System Master Plan Focus Groups have been scheduled for Monday, May 18, 1998 at the Recreation Center. The "involved users" focus group will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The PSMP Executive Committee submitted names of individuals to participate. The "Random" focus group will be from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. This group will consist of a residents selected randomly with no requirement of use of recreation facilities. The focus groups will be asked questions from a survey and both groups' priorities will be compared. A Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 1998. The first hour of the meeting will be dedicated to public input in the Park System Master Plan. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony has been scheduled for the Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex at Walker's Creek Park for Tuesday, June 9, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. Members of the Women's Olympic Gold Medalist Softball Team will be on hand for the ceremony and autographs. 6. AQUATICS REPORT Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Board on the following: A name has been selected for the new uphill water coaster, "GR££N £XTR£1~t~". The name was chosen after a long process of staff suggestions, guest suggestions, creative team reviews, guest reviews and focus groups. Approximately 275 team members have been hired and staff is moving forward with training. Season pass sales continue with the park being ahead of last year's season pass sales by 69% at this time. A GR££N £XTIt£)~t£ "Sneak Peek" has been scheduled for May 22"d, in the evening, for season pass holders and VIP's so they may be the first to ride the "GR££N £XTR~I~t£". 7. ARCADIA DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION Mr. Thornton presented the results of the Market Analysis for the Arcadia Development Corporation for the master planned development of 330 acres currently owned by E-Systems Trust. The proposed project could include a recreation center, amphitheater, ice arena, lakes, trails, cafes, retail shops and possibly living space above market centers. Mr. Thornton stated that this high quality development will be done somewhere in Tarrant County and this is an ideal location. One option for the financing of the project is a TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) whereas the revenues pay for the amenities. The Board will be updated, as more information about the proposed development becomes available. 8. BACKGROUND CHECKS ADDDED TO YOUTH SPORTS GROUP USER CONTRACTS City Council requested that the Park & Recreation Board evaluate and make a recommendation regarding background checks for individuals involved in youth sports. The Park Board discussed this issue with input from the Richland Youth Association, North Richland Hills Soccer Association as well as information gathered from other existing organizations and cities. The youth organizations in North Richland Hills are in favor of the background checks and would like to see the City implement the process with set criteria. Motion: Ms. Miller made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perchard, to form a committee to analyze and give staff and Park Board information on criteria for criminal background checks. Motion carried 5-0. The committee will be comprised of the following: Rick Work, Chairperson, Ann Perchard ' Lorraine Miller 1 Monica Walsh & Jim Browne will serve as staff liaisons. ~ 9. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. John Turner, President of the North Richland Hills Soccer Association, thanked the Park Board for Green Valley Soccer Complex. They have received numerous comments about how nice the facility is. The Board requested a schedule of the upcoming events regarding the Ribbon Cutting at Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex, Green Extreme "Sneak Peek" and the Town Hall meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Battles adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Sharon Battles, Vice Chairperson ATTEST: C~~.~..~.,~ ~s Christina A. Lopez, Administrative Secretary