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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1998-03-02 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 2, 1998 ATTENDANCE PRESENT Board: Don Tipps Chairman Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman Bobbie Lambert Board Member Lorraine Miller Board Member John Pena Board Alternate 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 ABSENT: Pam Jackson Board Member Ann Perchard Board Member ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order March 2, 1998 at 6:03 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Mr. Work, to approve the minutes of the January 19, 1998 meeting. (Motion passed 5-0) ITEM 3. PROPOSAL FOR AN ARBORETUM AT FOSSIL CREEK PARK The North Richland Hills Beautification Commission, brought a proposal to the Park and Recreation Board for an Arboretum at Fossil Creek Park which was presented by Ms. Jane West Dunkelberg. Also in ~attendance from the Beautification Commission were Deloris Pultz, Emily Ward, Billie Sommermeyer and Patsy Tucker. The proposed Arboretum includes new mulched trails, a demonstration garden, wildflower and native grass plantings, a 20 car parking lot and plant identification signage. The proposal also includes the preparation of a pamphlet to be distributed on-site. Ms. Dunkelberg estimates the project would cost under $50,000 and would take approximately two years to complete. The Commission would look at the possibility of including several different volunteer associations in the clearing of paths and obstacles. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, to include the proposal in the Park System Master Plan Update for evaluation and prioritization in context of all City park and recreation facility needs. (Motion carried 6-0). ITEM 4. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS Ms. Walsh updated the Board on the following: The 7`h Annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance was a tremendous success with over 700 in attendance. City Garage sponsored the event in the amount of $1,750. Friday Night Out was held on February 13 with 600 students in attendance. There was an increase of 150 students from the previous two dances. Nicole Lucas, Youth Outreach Specialist introduced the idea of selling advance tickets along with inviting three new schools. The next Friday Night Out is scheduled for March 20, 1998. The Recreation Center held its first Chess Tournament with 45 participants ages 5-14 years old. The North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation Department will receive the Texas Recreation and Parks Society "Lone Star Programming Award" for the National IronKids Triathlon and the "Park Design Excellence Award" for the Richland Tennis Center. Also the Department will receive an award for the number of NYSCA Coaches certified in the State of Texas. The Bursey Road Senior Center held their Valentine Games night with forty participants. The Dan Echols Senior Center Swingin' Seniors entertained three times this month and are preparing for their annual competition. Spring Volleyball leagues began on February 3 with an all time high of 32 teams registered for play on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Bob Hagin, Athletic Coordinator, secured All Saints Sports Care as a sponsor for the Spring Volleyball and Softball Leagues for $1,300. The NBA 2-Ball Competition was held on Saturday, February 28 at the Recreation Center, 22 children participated. The Parks and Recreation Department will host the Dallas Mavericks Basketball Camp again this summer. The Richland Tennis Center hosted their first President's Cup High School Tournament on February 20 with eight schools participating. Fort Worth Christian High School is renting courts for their high school practices. USTA has awarded $72,000 in grant money to the Dallas and Fort Worth Tennis Associations for their "Grow the Game" Program. USA Tennis "Play Tennis America" is now called "Grow the Game". Richland Tennis Center will receive some benefits from this grant which Charlotte Wylie helped write on behalf of the Fort Worth Tennis Association. Charlotte also wrote another grant and will receive $4,000 for the Richland Tennis Center's "Grow the Game" program. 5. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the following: Progress on the Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail, Phase I Bike Route Signage and Signs and North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail are all contingent upon the Texas Department of Transportation. Construction has begun on the North Electric Trail starting at Holiday Lane towards NRH2O. The Parks and Recreation Department received a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in the amount of $300,000 for the Thornbridge Neighborhood Park project. Plans and specifications will be completed in-house. Plans and specifications are being completed for the North Hills Multi-Use Trail. Staff met with the hospital to set the preliminary alignments for the trail. The plans will be submitted to TxDOT for approval. The Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Complex is proceeding slowly due to the weather. Staff will coordinate with Public Works for the completion of the entry drive. Staff received the grant agreement for the 100 Acre Park Site from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to execute. Once completed, the plans and specifications will be submitted to TPWD for approval prior to bidding the project. Bids will be opened on March 10'h for the Standard Park Signage project. Construction has begun on the new water coaster at NRHZO. Staff is working on revisions to the TxDOT contract for the Cottonbelt Trail reflecting the combined project agreement for consultant services. Once the agreement has been approved, design can begin. The trail will run, city limit to city limit, along the railroad. Hurst will participate with Colleyville. Plans and specifications have been completed for the Richfield Playground renovation. The project will be advertised in March with bids opening in April 1998. Carter and Burgess has been preparing base data for the Park System Master Plan Update. An "Executive Committee" will be formed with the following people; Randy Moresi, Randy Shiflet, Ronnie Caruthers, Rick Work, Don Tipps, Frank Metts and Paul Miller. These individuals, representing City Council, Park Board, BISD, Planning & Zoning Commission and our business community, will help guide the Parks and Recreation Department and the Consultants Carter and Burgess, in the updating of the Park System Master Plan. 6. 1997 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS A copy of the 1997 Accomplishments and Goals have been included in the packet as an informational item for Park Board. 7. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The Park & Recreation Board inquired whether or not they would be allowed to assist in the review process for the policies and procedures for naming of city facilities and parks. The Council Naming Committee met before they received the letter of request to participate, but graciously denied the Park Boards participation. Mr. Lambert inquired how the department was doing in sales tax collection for 1998. Mr. Browne commented that he believed it was slightly higher than projected for the first three months of collections, probably due to the interchange being completed. Mr. Work inquired about a joint BISD/NRH Natatorium. Mr. Browne commented that the agreement with BISD allowed for a five year window of opportunity to initiate a study for this type of facility. There are spatial challenges to the site at Richland High. It is the opinion of staff that this type of facility would best serve the citizens of North Richland Hills in a new recreation center. Staff is awaiting the outcome of the Arcadia Study, market analysis and feasibility study, which is underway. BISD is currently building their third High School and indoor swimming facilities were not included in the plans. Staff is always open to partnering with BISD and perhaps that could happen at the next recreation center. 8. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. (Motion carried 6-0). Don Ti , Chairperson ATTEST: w ~G~ ~'S Christina A. Lopez, Administrative Secretary