The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPRB 1997-05-05 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 May 5, 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 Marcia Minnies Marketing Specialist Patty Moos Park Planning & Construction Superintendent Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager Bifl Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation ABSENT: Sharon 6attles Vice Chairwoman ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps cal{ed the meeting to order May 5, 1997 at 6:02 P.M. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (Passed 6-0) Ms. Jackson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Work, to approve the minutes of the April 7, 1997 meeting. 1 ITEM 3. NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL FINALIST 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. Winners will be announced and honored at the 1997 NRPA Congress to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in October. Staff has about three weeks to put together a videotape that represents the Parks and Recreation Department and submit it for the final judging. Staff is particularly proud to have been sefected as a finalist, by a distinguished panel of judges, for a second consecutive year. This exciting acknowiedgment, in both 1996 and 1997, further establishes the City of North Richland Hills as a leader in providing excellent quality of life services to our citizens. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein Inc., is heavily into design of Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail and North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail. North Electric Trail should go out for bid around July or August. The contractor is finishing up at Glenview Neighborhood park. The park will include a pavilion, backstop, trail, benches and landscaping. The pond will be stocked with fish. Site grading and clearing continue 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. The consultant is preparing detailed plans and specifications for the standard park signage and should be out for bid in May or June. Plans and specifications are being prepared for Mid-Cities Boulevard landscape and Irrigation. Staff is preparing design work for large trees. The Dan Echofs Parking lot is completed. The pedestrian bridge that connects the parking lots will be installed in June. ITEM 5. RECREATION, ATHLETICS, SENIOR ADULTS AND RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER REPORTS RECREATfON The Recreation center CCTV system was installed the week of April 21. The system will improve 2 our ability to monitor and supervise the facility. Eight cameras were installed in the building and two in the parking lot. Additional lighting is also being installed in the parking lot for safety. A new jazzercise program was initiated in April. The program is averaging 25 people a class. SENIORS The Dan Echols Senior Center held their Bake and Craft Sale on April 25 & 26. The heavy rains and dark skies did not deter the sale. Sixteen seniors braved the weather to work the Friday and Saturday Event. ATHLETICS North Richland Hills had an NBA National Finalist team of girls in the NBS 2-ball crowned second place in the entire Nation at half-time of the Houston Rockets - Minnesota Timberwolf playoff game on April 26. Angela Branham and Taylor Green, who originally qualified in the 12-14 year old category for the area competition at Walnut Hills, then won the Regional competition in Reunion Arena at a Dallas Mavericks Game. The girls continued their journey by winning the Conference Championship in Seattle before falling short in Houston. TENNIS CENTER The Mid-Cities Ladies SOS Benefit Tournament was played at the Tennis Center May 5, 1997. The Richland Tennis Center will be the site for the area USTA Women's League Playoffs May 17- 18. The Richland Tennis Center brochure was mailed out this past week. The Grand Opening Celebration for the Tennis Center has been rescheduled to May 10. Mariaan de Swardt, a COREL WTA Tour Player, will be on hand to help with the grand opening festivities. 6. AQUATIC REPORTS Mr. Chris Swartz provided a report on the activities at NRH2O Family Water Park. NRH2O received final approval from City Council for the purchase of Time Clock System. The system will enable the park management team to better track labor expenditures. Professor Frogsteins Forest is complete. The area provides additional shade and picnic tables near the wave pool. NRH2O received final approval from City Council for the purchase of a video surveillance system to monitor the park's point of sales areas. 3 NRH2O has hired and trained 250 team members for this season. Safety, guest services and cleanliness are the three highest stressed priorities for every team member. The "Makin' the difference Secret Swimmer" program will be implemented again this season. The program will provide staff with detailed information about our level of service in al! areas of the park. The program will begin with a control group of Parks and Recreation employees. Once the "bugs" are worked out, staff will be approaching guests as they enter the park. NRH2O will be adding equipment for the EMT's. At this time three ful{ time staff members are licensed EMT's, Chris Swartz, Frank Perez and Kelli Carter. At least one EMT is always on park. 7. DISCUSSION OF OTHER ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA Mr. Browne updated the Board on Sharon Battles husband ( Wayne Battles) medical condition. Staff wifl purchase a card and send on behalf of the Board. Mr. Tipps said he was very please with all the coverage in the Class Acts Section of the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Mr. Work inquired about the Junior Guard program at NRH2O and how to sign up. Mr. Swartz updated the Board on the Beanie Baby situation. He informed the Board that people were lined up to purchase the babies and that they sold out very quickly. Ms. Walsh updated the Board on the Triathlon Days which were held at the following schools, W.A. Porter, John D. Spicer and Green Valley Elementary School. Staff simulated a triathlon to get the kids excited and involved in the actual triathlon which is scheduled for August 24, 1997. Mr. Browne updated the Board about the potential electrical saving at Green Valley Community Park. Staff has held a number of ineetings with TU Electric to find the best solution to the large electrical charges to operate Green Valley. A decision was made to switch to a seasonal rate which would involve turning off the electricity at Green Valley for the month of February. Battery powered lights or solar powered lights would be installed to keep the restrooms open during this time. These changes will save the city approximately $7,500 a year in electrical charges. Mr. Browne updated the Board on the quality of turf at Green Valley Community Park. Due to a shallow root system, freezes and high impact use staff will install Tif 419 Bermuda Sod at this end of this soccer season. The sod will be placed in high impact areas of the two regular fields and the two under 10 fields. The under 8 and under 6 fields will be over seeded with Bermuda. This project is expected to cost between $45 -$48,000. Mr Tipps commented that he liked the fences that have been put up to keep the balls from going into the road. 4 A triple Ground Breakings Ceremony has been scheduled for Friday morning and will include the Dan Echols Senior Adult Center parking lot and Playground at Mullendore Elementary, Girls' Fast Pitch Softball Complex and the Glenview Neighborhood Park. Heritage Days festivities will be on Friday May 16 at City Hall between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Board is requested to RSVP to the City Secretary if they will be in attendance. Ms. Perchard worked at Bursey Road Senior Center during the recent election and received several comments about how nice the renovations turned out the Center. ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Jackson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to adjourned the meeting at 6:50 P.M. ~ Don Tipp , hairperson ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Admini ative Secretary 5