Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1996-06-03 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 June 3, 1996 - 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Board: Don Tipps Chairman Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman J. Dougiass Davis Board Member Pam Jackson Board Member Bobbie Lambert 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 Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation ABSENT: Kami Graves Board Member ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order June 3, 1996 at 6:15 P.M. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (Passed 7-0) Mr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to approve the minutes of the April 1, 1996. 1 ITEM 3. NATIONAL SPORTS FOUNDATION ~ NRPA NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL FINALIST Mr. Browne explained to the Board that the Parks and Recreation Department has been selected as one of four finalist in the 1996 National Gold Medal Awards program. The awards are presented by the National Sports Foundation, and National Recreation and Park Association. Jim explained that the department is very proud to achieve this honor. As a finalist, staff prepared a video for submittal for the final review. The video was presented to the Park Board. Mr. Davis commented that the video looks good and said we are very fortunate to have Jim Browne with us. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton provided a report of the status of the Parks Maintenance Department and Capital Improvement Projects. Discussion was held. The Calloway Branch Trail - Council approved execution of the agreement at their April 8 meeting. NJB, Inc. is proceeding with gathering base data and preparing on-site survey information. The Bedford-Euless Road Landscape project is in the last phase of planting. The Tennis Center and Practice Fields parking lot has been completed, the building slab poured, the building columns erected, and the structural steel is currently being installed. The excavation is complete on the championship court and two other courts, and the remaining 13 courts have been rough graded. The scheduled opening date is January 1, 1997. North Electric Trail design work is in progress and is expected to be completed for TxDOT review in June. Additional hydrological studies are required for the extended bridge crossing at Calloway Branch and Walkers Branch creeks. Staff is proceeding with the preparation of the plans and specifications of Glenview Neighborhood Park for the construction of the first phase of development. Plans will be completed for this phase in late June. The playground design is complete. The multi-use trail and pavilion design will be completed in-house. North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail - an ISTEA Grant Application was submitted March 15, 1996, staff is waiting for completion of review. City Park Site - a TPWD Grant Application may be submitted prior to the July 31, 1996 deadline, design work will continue until the anticipated award notification in January 1997. Construction on Phase I, is expected to begin in March 1997. As soon as the topography survey is complete, concept planning will begin. City Hall Landscaping and Irrigation is complete. Some plant material, which died, will be replaced as warranty items. 2 Construction of NRH2O's "Enhancements" have been completed with the exception of a few minor items. Brinkley Sargent Architects are proceeding with the NRH2O Master Plan. Standard Park Signage - the consultant is preparing and refining concepts for the various types of signage within our parks and trails. The signs will be made of easily reproducible, modular, heavy duty material. An ISTEA Grant Application for the Cottonbelt Trail Depot and Rest Station was submitted on March 15, 1996 for the items we are eligible for. The playground was not e4igible. The sidewalk and irrigation have been installed at Richfield Park, other improvements are continuing. Additional design work is being completed in order to issue bids for the lighting. Grass will go down in the next few weeks. The next step will be relocating the lighting controls into the building. Mid-Cities Boulevard Landscape and lrrigation - P{ans and Specifications are being prepared, and are tentatively scheduled for bidding in July. Dan Echols Parking Lot and Playground Improvements - funding is expected to be approved in July, and a contract for the design work will be executed once the project is approved. fTEM 5. RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SENIOR ADULTS Ms. Monica Wafsh provided a report of activities in recreation, athletics, and senior adult services. Proceeds from the Family Festival in the Park were distributed to the foilowing: $1,200 to the Clothes Connection and $1,200 for the Teen After School Program. The Annual Tap and Ballet Dance Recital was held on May 17. More than 100 students performed to a full auditorium. The Leisure Resource Guide was mailed the second week of May. All sessions of Summer Day Camp are filled with at least 10-15 people on the waiting list. Several dance classes performed at Mayfest. Tina Harvey has joined our staff as Recreation Supervisor. She has twelve years experience in Parks and Recreation. Tina has worked for Fort Worth, Grapevine and Southlake Parks and Recreation Departments. The last Teen Dance of the year had about 700 teens, the largest crowd ever, and was also one of the best run dances. Summer Programs are set to begin on June 3, 1996. 3 Youth At Risk The North Richland Middle School drama class held a performance at North Richland Middle School on April 18, 1996. Teens from the North Richland After School Drama Club performed jointly with the Dan Echols senior adults on May 17. The intergenerational play was entitled "Girls Night Out." The Teens on The Edge After School program finished the school year on May 24. The program will resume at North Richland Middle and Northridge Middle in August when school commences. Bursey Road Center The bid was awarded with construction beginning on June 10 for the renovation and expansion of the Bursey Road Senior Center. All Bursey Road Senior Center programs will take place at the NRH Recreation Center during the renovation. A new watercolor class began April 17. Both the April and May luncheons were well attended. The Richland High Spanish Club performed on April 18. The second "Games Night" was held on May 6 with more than 40 seniors attending. A picnic was held at Northfield Park on May 24. The seniors grilled hot dogs and enjoyed being outside. Dan Echols Center The Swinging Seniors performed at Mayfest, Main Street Days in Grapevine, along with several other locations during the months of April and May. The "Bake and Garage" sale held on May 10-11 raised funds for the Swinging Seniors costumes. The Saginaw Kitchen Band performed during the May luncheon. Ninety-three seniors enjoyed the live music of the Gary Lee Band on May 14. Dan Echols Senior Center Council planned the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Chiantis Italian Cafe. More than 45 seniors attended the awards luncheon. The North Richland Hills Fire Department presented an informative program on safety. 4 ATHLETICS NYSCA Hook a Kid On Golf program is being offered for the fifth year. Ms. Walsh said we have peopling calling us to volunteer as sponsors for the kids. NYSCA certifications for baseball continues with more than 200 volunteer coaches trained for this season alone. North Richland Hills received statewide recognition from NYSCA as being one of the most productive chapter's in the State. Indoor volleyball registration totaled 23 teams participating two nights a week. The Mid Cities Classic Softball Tournament took place on April 27th with more than 1,000 people in attendance. Christ Haven Orphanage in Keller received a donation of $900 from the proceeds of the tournament. The Fieldhouse was secured as the Title Sponsor for the 5th Annual Future Stars Basketball Camp. Registration for summer softball and indoor volleyball ended May 31. Registration for sand volleyball and men's basketball ends June 4. Registration for the T.A.A.F. Men's Church State Softball Tournament ends on June 21. ITEM 6. Aquatics Update Chris Swartz, Aquatic Manager, updated the Board regarding activities at NRH2O. NRH2O opened for weekends on May 18 and opened for daily operations on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, NRHZO held an "exclusive" rental for approximately 400 Keller Middle School Students on Monday, May 20th. Attendance for the first six days of operation has totaled nearly 11,500. Memorial Day yielded our 3rd busiest day ever with nearly 3,600 guests in attendance. Park attendance is lower than normal this week since BISD is still in session until May 30th. The new innertube slide opened on Saturday during the Memorial Day weekend to rave reviews. Many of the guests are taking advantage of the "cooler" policy. The Concession area is doing very well. The Ice Cream Shoppe has created more than $6,500 in revenue so far this year compared to the arcade which only brought in $6,700 for the entire 1995 season. Professor Frogstein and the Elements of Fun have been a big hit. Every morning when the park opens the Professor is at the front gate greeting guests and at the close of business he is at the gate waving goodbye. The Professor and the Elements of Fun also make their way through the park entertaining the guests. 5 Season Pass sales are fast approaching last year's totals. Total revenues, to date, is more than $270,000. The Guest Service Kiosk is working well. Ellis and Associates conducted the first of three audits which will be completed over the course of the summer, we either satisfied or exceeded the standards set forth. They were very impressed with the park and said the pool water was great. ITEM 7. GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL COMPLEX Mr. Thornton updated the Board on the Girls Fastpitch Softball Complex which will be located behind NRH2O Family Water Park. Staff should know, around .luly 31, the status of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant that was submitted. The park wi41 include four 225' lighted softball fields, restroom/concession building, parking lot, shade pavilion, playground and shaded areas. The park has a planned single entry off of Emerald Hills Way with a centrafly located parking lot. The park will be tied into the North Electric Trail up to the restroom/concession building and continue to NRHZO. The restroom/concession bui{ding will be four smafl units tied together with tresses or shade structures. Staff has met with NRGSL for their input. ITEM 8. DISCUSSION OF SOCCER ISSUES (Passed 7-0) Ms. Walsh updated the Board regarding several discussions with the soccer associations over numerous items such as name changes, maintenance fees, cooperative agreements and grand opening ceremonies. Mr. Davis commented that he knows this was a tremendous amount of work and is so proud of what staff has done in getting the soccer associations to change their names to reflect North Richland Hills. MOTfON: Mr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, that we give Ms. Walsh one day off with pay for this accomplishment. Motion Passed 7-0. Both associations have changed their names and will be officially recognized by their new names this summer. North East Soccer Association's (NESA) new name is North Richland Hills Soccer Association (NRHSA) and the Haltom Richland Soccer Association's (HRSA) new name is North Richland Hills Area Soccer League (NRHASL). A cooperative agreement has been signed by both soccer associations to coordinate the use of Green Valley soccer fields. The cooperative committee will consist of two individuals from each soccer association as well as a representative from the Parks and Recreation Department. A majority of the committee will be North Richland Hills residents. Staff introduced the idea of maintenance fees to both associations. The purpose of the maintenance fee is to charge user groups a fee to offset the costs associated with the city maintaining the athletic fields. League play begins in September 1996. 6 MOTION: Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davis, that we send a recommendation to City Council to add a$10 nonresident fee and an $8 resident fee to the soccer registration fees. Motion passed 6-0. Discussion was also held regarding the concessions. Concessions are operated by RYA and NRGSL at Richfield Park and Fossil Creek Park, respectively. At Northfield Park, where the city operates adult softball leagues, concessions are let out for bids. Neither youth soccer association is interested in operating the concessions at Green Valley. All buildings must meet code and requirements pertaining to city health inspections. All persons working in the concession stand must also attend a food handlers class. Concession buildings are inspected several times throughout the season. Permits are issued by the Environmental Services Department. The Parks and Recreation Department does receive a$50.00 per month lease from RYA and NRGSL for the use of the concession buildings at Richfield Park and Fossil Creek Park. Northfiefd concessions are bid out, and they do pay $100 per month for leasing the facility. Mr. Lambert commented if staff bid out the concessions that he thought we would get more than $100 per month. Given the fact that neither soccer association is interested in managing the concessions, with their volunteers, it would appear at this time to be more practica{ to bid out the concessions simifar to Northfield Park. ITEM 9. PARK NAMING COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Passed 6-O) Staff met with the Park Naming Committee prior to this meeting to discuss naming of Parks and Recreation facilities. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, to name the Girls Softball Complex located off Emerald Hills Way "Walkers Creek Park." Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perchard, to name the park site located at 6400 Glenview Drive "Glenview Park." Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davis, to name the park site located at 7111 N. E. Loop 820 "North Richland Hills Tennis Center." Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Lambert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Battles, to table the naming of the 100 Acre Park Site located at 7451 Starnes Road until a later date. Motion passed 6-0. ITEM 10. DISCUSSION OF OTHER ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA Mr. Jim Streit, NRGSL Vice Commissioner updated the Board regarding NRGSL's current season. NRGSL has more than 560 girls playing in the Spring/Summer season - Recreational program. 7 NRGSL has been receiving good publicity in the paper, they have assigned this task to one person to get the word out about NRGSL. Mr. Streit thanked the Park and Recreation Department for allowing their input in the design of the new park, and for all the improvements at Fossil Creek Park before the season started. The fields are well maintained, they can even play immediately after it rains because the fields drain so well. ITEM 11. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Battles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M. Motion carried 6-0. i Don Tipps, hairperson ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Administrative ecretary 8