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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1998-01-19 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 January 19, 1998 ATTENDANCE PRESENT Board: Don Tipps Chairman Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Miller Board Member John Pena Board Alternate Rick Work Board Member Staff: Jim Browne Director of Parks and Recreation Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Patty Moos Park Planning & Construction Superintendent Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation ABSENT: Pam Jackson Board Member Bobbie Lambert Board Member Ann Perchard Board Member ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order January 19, 1998 at 6:05 p.m. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Ms. Miller made a motion, seconded by Mr. Work, to approve the minutes of the December 1, and December 15, 1997 meetings. (Motion passed 4-0) ITEM 3. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS Ms. Walsh updated the Board on the following: The Recreation Center is offering a new Massage Therapy Center. Kathleen Waters, a Registered Massage Therapist, will begin providing therapeutic massages in late January. The 7th Annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance is scheduled for February 7th. The theme will be "New York" -"An Evening In the Big Apple". City Garage sponsored the event in the amount of $1,500. One lucky attendee from each dance will have the chance to win a limousine ride to and from the dance. The City of NRH sponsored a toy and food drive for families in NE Tarrant County. More than 850 toys and 750 food items were donated by city employees. The City held a Christmas Tree contest with the Recreation Center winning the best overall Christmas Tree and PARD Administration winning the Mayor's Choice Award. The Teen After School Program "the edge" continues to attract kids daily at each school. They will be holding an awards program and going bowling. The Dan Echols Seniors made over 90 Christmas stockings and stuffed them with toys for children. The Bursey Road Gad-A-Bouts had a busy month traveling in December. They went to Branson, MO and traveled to Chickasha, OK to see the famous Christmas lights. The Fall softball league finished on December 1 gtn The 1998 Corporate Challenge Steering Committee met in December to begin preparations for the event. The event is scheduled for April/May. All Saints Sport Care will be a sponsor by providing medical care at all the events. Negotiations are underway with All Saints Sport Care for other sponsorship opportunities in 1998. The Richland Tennis Center hosted the Fort Worth area USTA League Captains' meeting on December 13. There were 50-60 people in attendance. The Recreation Division, according to the quarterly report, is up $9,775 from October 97 thru December 97. The Athletic Division is up $1,304. Mr. Tipps wanted to know how the seniors travel when they go on their trips. Ms. Walsh replied that they travel by bus. Mr. Pena commented that he would like staff to evaluate the space at the Recreation Center. The center appears to be overcrowded in the fitness area. Ms. Walsh commented that the center is typically very busy the first few months of the year, but staff will discuss and monitor the situation. Mr. Browne commented that a new recreation center is in our long range CIP plan. 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Ms. Moos updated the Board on the following: The Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail, Phase I Bike Route Signage and Signs and North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail are all in design and being refined. Staff is waiting to hear from TxDOT on the North Electric Trail. The project should be underway in early February. The Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Complex is proceeding slowly due to the weather. The project should be done in the month of February. The consultant for the 100 Acre City Park Site is refining details of the plan. The Standard Park Signage project will be bid in late January. We did not receive any bids in December. Bids are scheduled to be opened on January 20 for the NRH2O Improvements. The project should be under contract in February. Staff is working on a contract with MESA for the Cottonbelt Trail and is making revisions to the TxDOT contract reflecting the combined projects with Colleyville and Southlake. Carter and Burgess has been selected for the Park System Master Plan update. They were taking on a preliminary tour of our current facilities and will begin compiling information for the study. Mr. Pena commented that there is property in Colleyville that has not been purchased for the Cottonbelt Trail. Staff responded that Colleyville will be responsible for that according to the agreement. Ms. Miller handed out an article regarding park signage near baseball fields. She commented that RYA has had problems in the past with foul balls and broken windshields. She was interested in possibly putting up a sign stating "Park at your own Risk" on the Bronco Field fence. 5. NAMING OF PARKS City Council established a committee to review the naming procedures and policies for parks, streets, buildings and facilities. The committee consists of JoAnn Johnson, Byron Sibbet and Lyle Welch. The Park and Recreation Board was concerned about the policy and would like to be involved in the review of the policy/ordinance. Staff recommended sending a letter, on behalf of the Park Board, to the committee members offering their assistance in the review process. Staff will get back to the Park Board with the committee's response. 6. MAINTENANCE FEES FOR ATHLETIC FIELD MAINTENANCE The Parks and Recreation Board discussed implementing a maintenance fee for the purpose of offsetting the costs associated with the City maintaining the athletic fields at Richfield Park. The Richland Youth Association currently prepares their fields for league play and tournament play. The Richland Youth Association discussed this at their January 7'h Board meeting. Mr. Randy Cupp commented that the program is a great idea, and he appreciates everything the city does, but a lot of improvements would need to be made before the program would work. RYA requested to continue with their contractual agreement and work on the fields with staffs help and if they can work it into their schedule. Motion: Ms. Miller made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, to continue status quo with the RYA contractual agreement and implement the maintenance fee schedule at new athletic facilities as they open. (Motion passed 5-0) 7. DISCUSSION OF STEERING COMMITTEE FOR PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN Discussion was held concerning the development of a Steering Committee to guide the Parks and Recreation Department and Consultant, Carter & Burgess, in the updating of the Park System Master Plan. The Steering Committee would best be assembled of members from the Park Board, City Council, Planning and Zoning, BISD, City Administration and the private industry. Suggested names are as follows: City Administration: Randy Shiflet City Council: Frank Metts Park Board: Rick Work Don Tipps - Facilities Development Corporation Planning & Zoning: Paul Miller BISD: Letter to Dr. Griggs for his recommendation Private Industry: Randy Moresi, CEO, North Hills Hospital Alt. name representative from Kimberly-Clark Mr. Pena made a motion, seconded by Ms. Miller, to extend an invitation to the above listed individuals to serve on the Steering Committee for the updating of the Park System Master Plan. (Motion passed 5-0) 8. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mr. Pena wanted to know why we are updating the Park Master Plan so soon. Mr. Browne responded that the Park System Master Plan is critically important in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Park Fund grants scoring system. Given the numerous projects completed since adoption of our most recent Park System Master Plan, it is imperative to update our local priorities to assure continued granting success. Mr. Browne announced to the Board that Vickie Loftice, Recreation Superintendent, has accepted the position of Director of Parks and Recreation with Petersburg, Alaska. This is a great opportunity for her and the department is real excited for this personal growth opportunity in her career. The Board is invited to a reception will be held in her honor on Friday, January 23, from 11:00 - 12:00 Noon at the Richland Tennis Center Mr. Browne also announced that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved funding in the amount of $300,000 for the development of a neighborhood park in the Thornbridge subdivision. The grant application ranked 7th out of 50 projects. Staff is particularly proud of this grant application because it was completely prepared by our staff (Bill Thornton, Patty Moos and Dalan Walker) "in-house". This grant allows us to build a much needed neighborhood park valued at $600,000, at no cost to our taxpayers, other than our "in-house" staff costs associated with the design for the park. This brings our total of grant funds to nearly $9,000,000. Mr. Pena requested that a Proclamation be presented to Vickie Loftice at the next City Council meeting. Staff will arrange. 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Ms. Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. o ' ps, Chairperson ATTEST: Christina A. Lopez, Administrative Secretary