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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1996-11-21 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 November 21, 1996 - 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Board: Don Tipps Chairman Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman Pam Jackson Board Member Bobbie Lambert Board Member Cheryl Lyman 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 and Construction Superintendent Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation ABSENT: ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order November 21, 1996 at 6:00 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 October 7, 1996 meeting. 1 ITEM 3. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Bill Thornton provided a report of the status of the Parks Maintenance Department and Capital Improvement Projects. Calloway Branch Trail, Little Bear Creek Trail and Phase I Bike Route Signage and Maps, all ISTEA projects, are currently in design. North Electric Trail design has been completed, plans and specifications have been forwarded to TxDOT for review. TxDOT responded with their comments and the consultant is making those changes indicated. Once the changes are complete the plans will be resubmitted to TxDOT for final review and then forwarded to Austin. The Tennis Center and practice fields are still on schedule for completion in December. Final construction for Glenview Neighborhood Park is out for bid and award of contract is expected in January. Remaining work to be completed includes excavation of the lake, grading of the site, construction of the hike and bike trail and pavilion. Mr. Tipps said that he has received good comments from citizens regarding Glenview Neighborhood Park. Staff was successful in getting an ISTEA grant for the North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail. The contract has been executed with TxDOT and we are in the process of consultant selection. Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex is out for bid. Bids will be opened on December 16. Award of contract is expected in January. Staff is finalizing plans and specifications for NRH2O Enhancements. Staff is evaluating the Richfield Park improvements project concerning the relocation of the light controls inside the building. Meetings will be scheduled with RYA concerning this project. Mid-Cities Boulevard Landscaping is currently in the design process. Design has been completed on Dan Echols Senior Center parking lot which is a CDBG grant project. Plans and specifications have been sent to the County for bidding. The project should be completed in March 1997. Ms. Battles commented about the vandalism at the Tennis Center. Mr. Thornton responded that it has already been cleaned up. ITEM 11. RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SENIOR ADULTS Ms. Monica Walsh provided a report of activities in recreation, athletics, senior adult services and the Tennis Center. Fall Session II programs began the week of October 21. 2 Friday Night Out, held October 25, had 532 teens in attendance. The teen dance was only advertised to North Richland Hills middle schools to ensure a safe and manageable event. The fourth annual "Instructor Appreciation Week" was held October 21-26. Thirty-two instructors were recognized throughout the week for their contribution to our department. Sharon Davis fixed goodie bags to be handed out to each instructor. The Teen After School Program continues to provide a much needed service for latch key and youth at risk teens. An average of fifty teens at each school attends the daily program from 3:20 - 5:30 p.m. Drama, arts, basketball leagues, hockey, storytelling, dance, Taw Kwon Do, football and science programs are available for the teens at no cost to them. Several cities have initiated similar programs. The City of Watauga is the latest city to provide this program to their middle school. Sharon Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation, was selected as "Region 6 Professional" at the Texas Recreation and Parks Society Regional Workshop. BURSEY ROAD CENTER The Seniors are now officially back in their own center and loving it! The renovation/expansion was completed at the end of October and the seniors moved back in on November 4. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony has been planned for December 5, at 10:00 a.m. DAN ECHOLS CENTER The "Gary Lee Band" was the musical entertainment for the Dan Echols Halloween Dance held on October 8. Over 100 seniors were in attendance with several dressed up in costume. A billiards table was purchased for the center providing an additional activity for the active seniors. ATHLETICS The fifth annual Corporate Challenge concluded October 27 with "Team North Richland Hills" reclaiming the Corporate Challenge Cup in Division A! The City of Haltom City won Division B. The Fall Adult Softball Program completes the season Friday, November 22. TENNIS CENTER The Facility will be opening in January 1997. Interviews are underway for the Head Pro and are also scheduled next week for pro shop staff. Staff met with the School District and the Richland Tennis Booster Club, everyone is real excited and can't wait to get in and play at the new facility. Flyers were mailed out in the water bills. Registration will begin this month for tennis programs. Mr. Lambert wanted to know what the life expectancy is of the tennis court surfaces. Ms. Walsh responded 5-7 years. Mr. Browne added that funds will be available for repair or replacement in the '/2 cent sales tax fund. 3 ITEM 12. AQUATICS REPORTS Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Board regarding activities at NRHZO. Enhancements for 1997 include additional shaded picnic seating along the Mountasia side of the property next to the wave pool. Park Division staff began clearing this area and are doing a great job. Staff is also looking at moving the fence out. Guest service surveys (surveys staff performs when guests exit the park) went up to 4.72 out of five for the 1996 season, up from 4.62 during the 1995 season. ITEM 13. DISCUSSION OF OTHER ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA Mr. Lambert inquired about the inner-tube policy. Mr. Browne commented in order to better meet our guests' needs, staff is investigating offering free tubes to our guests every day. In return, we will raise all general admission prices $1.00 for the 1997 season. Guests will receive a$3.00 dollar value for $1.00. We received several guest survey cards that indicated the guests would be willing to pay a higher admission price for free tubes. This also saves on labor with three lead positions that worked in the inner-tube rental area being eliminated. ITEM 14. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Tipps adjourned the meeting at 6:45 P.M. n s, Chairperson ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Administrat e retary 4