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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1997-06-02 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 June 2, 1997 - 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Board: Don Tipps Chairman 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 & Recreation Larry Cunningham Assistant City Manager Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Patty Moos Park Planning & Construction Superintendent Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation ABSENT: Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order June 2, 1997 at 6:00 P.M. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (Passed 5-0) Ms. Jackson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to approve the minutes of the May 5, 1997 meeting. 1 ITEM 3. NRPA GOLD MEDAL VIDEO The City of North Richland Hills' Parks and Recreation Department has been selected as one of four finalist in the 1997 National Gold Medal and Special Recreation Awards Program. Staff put together a videotape that represents the Parks and Recreation Department and submitted it for the final judging. The Board and those present viewed the video tape. Mr. Jim Browne thanked staff for their help in putting the video together and expressed special thanks to Greg Ofdenberg and Citicable staff for their hard work. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL {MPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein Inc., is moving along with design of Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail and Phase I Bike Route and Signs. North Efectric Traif plans and specifications were submitted to TxDOT for final review and approval. The contractor is finishing up minor excavation work and completing site grading at Glenview Neighborhood Park. The agreement has been executed with TxDOT for the North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail. Installation of utilities and the pouring of foundations will start soon at the Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex. The consultant is proceeding with the completion of the plans and specifications for the 100 Acre Park site. The project should be out for bid in late Fall. A contract should be awarded for the Standard Park Signage in July. Plans and specifications are being prepared for Mid-Cities Boulevard Landscape and Irrigation and tentatively scheduled for bidding in Summer 1997. The Dan Echols Parking 4ot is completed. The pedestrian bridge that connects the parking is scheduled to be set. ITEM 5. RECREAT{ON, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS RECREATION Friday Night Out was held on May 16 with 350 teens attending. Summer programs began June 2. The lower level of the Recreation center has a new carpeting in the hallways and stair area. 2 SENIORS Jane Burleson, Bursey Road Supervisor, planned activities for seniors who are alone on holiday. Forty-two seniors showed up for bridge, cards and food. Dan Echols has changed their Tuesday evening dances to the first and third Saturdays. The first dance was held May 3 with over 124 seniors in attendance. The second dance was held May 17 with 89 seniors in attendance. A volunteer appreciation luncheon was held by Dan Echols Senior Center at Ryan's Family Steak House on May 22. Fifty-four volunteers were recognized. ATHLETICS The Parks and Recreation Department hosted Triathlon Days at three BISD elementary schools to publicize the upcoming Triathlon in August. There were about 1,200 kids who participated. Ms. Walsh thanked Rick Work and Ann Perchard for their assistance. TENNIS CENTER Ms. Walsh announced that Jennifer Subbert has been hired as an Assistant Tennis Professional for the Richland Tennis Center. Jennifer played college tennis at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She received the most valuable player awards in 1992 and 1996. Jennifer also was the 1995 Midwest Regional Rolex Doubles Champion. The Richland Tennis Center hosted their first North Richland Hills Adult Open tournament on May 24 & 25 with 123 participants. The Richland Tennis Center will also be hosting a portion of the Virginia Slims Legends tournament for their women's local competition on September 20 & 21, 1997. ITEM 6. AQUATIC REPORTS Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Board on the following: NRH2O's revenues to date are in excess of $180,000. NRH2O and Chick-fil-A are partnering to provide chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets. The program is doing very well. The sandwiches and nuggets sell for $2.50. NRH2O introduced "Splash Cash" which are wristbands with tabs in $1 and $2 increments and sold in $5 and $10 denominations. Guests use the "Splash Cash" throughout the park just like real money. At the end of the day guests may trade in their unused wristbands for real money. Mr. Swartz commented that attendance has suffered a little due to BISD being in class until May 29th. 3 Channel 11 news ran a special taped at NRH2O on Water Safety Tips. ITEM 7. SMOKING IN PUBLlC PARKS (Passed 6-0) The Parks and Recreation Department has received several requests from parents of chiidren involved in youth sports to establish a no smoking policy regarding park facilities and youth sports activities. The Board is recommending that the Richland Youth Association add a no smoking policy to their Youth Association By-Laws and have the Parks and Recreation Department post, on their standard park signage, a no smoking policy. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perchard, to instruct the Parks and Recreation Department to work on proper signage that states there is no smoking in youth parks as a Park Board Policy. ITEM 8. DISCUSSION OF OTHER ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA Mr. Browne updated the Board on the purchase of 419 Tif Bermuda for the Green Valley Soccer Complex which was approved by Council. Award of bid should be at the next Council meeting. Mr. Tipps wanted to know if we were planning on stocking the pond at Glenview Neighborhood Park. Mr. Thornton responded that we would probably stock the pond in the future. Green Valley Community Park pond was stocked on May 30, 1997. ITEM 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Jackson made a motion, seconded by Ms. Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 P.M. on s, Chairperson ATTEST: ~ S Christina Lopez, Admini r iv Secretary 4 ITEM 10. PUBLIC HEARING - NORTH ELECTRIC TRAIL CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps caNed the Public Hearing to order June 2, 1997 at 7:07 P.M. Mr. Jim Browne gave an overview of the Public Hearing procedures. Mr. Bill Thornton gave an overview of the North Electric Trail Project plan. The trail is a 2.9 mile section which consists of 10' wide concrete hike and bike trail which runs along the 100' wide TU transmission easement and goes from Richland High School east to NRH2O. The trail will cross several streets, Susan Lee Lane, Stone, Steeplewood and Davis Blvd (signalized crossing) at Emerald Hills Way, back up the east side of Davis to the transmission easement and continues on eastward through the Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex at Walker's Creek Park At the GFPSB Complex we turn away from the transmission easement, go through the park, and cross over to NRH2O where the trail already exists. Mr Thornton concluded his presentation. Comments were made by the following citizens present at the Public Hearing: Beverly Hebel, 7608 Circle. Ms. Hebel wanted to know if there was going to be drainage out to the easement to Susan Lee Lane? Will there would be lights installed? Will they still have access ta their back gates which are located next to the easement? Mr. Thornton commented that swales will be installed to direct the water, there will not be any impounding of water. At this time lights are not designed into the project. There are no plans to block off that property, they will still have access to their back gates. Mr. Patrick Hirrlinger, 5808 Waterford Court. Concerned with vandalism, he has a pool and is constantly having things thrown into his pool. Wanted to know how the trail would be patrolled and was concerned with fires. Also, concerned about maintenance. Mr. Browne commented that the police department has found that vandafism usuaffy occurs when there is less use, when the use increases that will contribute to better security. The police Department is also looking at evaluating bicycle and mounted patrols. Regarding fires, the 10' wide trail provides better quicker access in case of fire. At this time TU Utilities provides the maintenance. The Parks and Recreation Department will have a higher standard for maintenance such as keeping the grass at a lower level and over time, as funding comes available, include the planting of trees that are acceptable for the easement property. Charles Johnson, 5721 Cresfinrood Circle West. Wanted to know if they would still be able to drive on the easement to access their property? He also feels that the City will take better care of the area than what has been done in the past by TU. Also concerned with the utility poles that come down from the towers, we will need to mark those some how ta avoid people running into them. Mr. Browne commented that access will not be an issue, staff will work cooperatively with homeowners. Ogena Collins, 7528 Circle Drive - 428-0055. Ms. Collins is concerned about all the ruts that his been left in the easement by excavating trucks while excavating the area near the Richland High School practice fields. Also wanted to know how long the project will take to complete. Mr. Browne commented that the Birdville Independent School District maintains that field and was recent{y having a parking lot installed and those contractors would have been undec the direction of BISD. 5 He also commented that some of the ruts may have been made by the TU contract mowers who use heavier equipment. The project should take approximately six to eight months to complete after the bidding process. Glenn Nerwin, 7724 Aubrey Lane. Very interested in the project and the long term impact on alternative transportation. Feels it is a very important section in the trail system and is very anxious to see it happen. Does not feel that vandalism will be a problem and thanked everyone for their hard work on this project. 11. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Jackson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Work, to adjourn the Public Hearing. Don Ti hairperson ATTEST: , ~ Christina Lopez, Administ ti ecretary 6