Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1996-04-01 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 Aprii 1, 1996 - 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Board: Don Tipps Chairman Sharon Battles Vice Chairwoman J. Douglass Davis Board Member Rick Work Board Member Ann Perchard Board Member Pam Jackson Board Member Bobbie Lambert Board Member Staff: Larry Cunningham Assistant City Manager Jim Browne Director of Parks & Recreation Monica Sue Walsh Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Chris Swartz Aquatic Manager Kelli Carter Revenue Coordinator Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary ABSENT: Kami Graves Board Member ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Tipps called the meeting to order April 1, 1996 at 6:00 P.M. ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (Passed 6-0) Mr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perchard, to approve the minutes of the March 4, 1996 meeting as amended. 1 ITEM 3. PRESENTATION OF TRAPS "EXCELLENCE IN PARK DESIGN" AWARD In March of 1996 the North Richland Hiils Parks and Recreation Department received four (4) State Awards from the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) at the TRAPS Annual Institute which was held in Lubbock, Texas. The awards include: "Innovation in Park Development" - for the City's NRHZO Family Water Park; "Promotional Award" - outstanding marketing efforts of the Parks and Recreation Department; "Lone Star Programming Award" - spotlighting the City's new "Teens On The Edge" After School Program; and the "Park Design Excellence" Award - for NRHZO Family Water Park. The Parks and Recreation Department shares the "Park Design Excellence Award" with Brinkley Sargent Architects. Mr. Browne presented the "Park Design Excellence Award° to Greg Read who accepted on behalf of Brinkley Sargent Architects. Mr. Tipps informed the Park Board about a listing in "The Texas Visitors Guide" which is published by the Texas Highway Department. The publication spotlights "Things to see in North Richland Hills" which has NRH2O Family Water Park listed and a phone number to call for more information. ITEM 4. PARK OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT Mr. Thornton provided a report of the status of Parks Maintenance Department and Capital Improvement Projects. Discussion was held. The Calloway Branch Trail - TxDOT approved our contract with NJB, Inc, and Council will consider execution of the agreement at the April 8 meeting. The Bedford-Euless Road Landscape award of contract is scheduled for April 8. The Tennis Center and Practice Fields layout work and rough grading has been completed for the parking lot area. Concrete trail and the parking lot has been installed. Foundation work on the building will follow. North Electric Trail design work is in progress and is expected to be completed for TxDOT review in June. Little Bear Creek Trail, TxDOT approved the contract with NJB, Inc. and Council will consider execution of the agreement at the April 8 meeting. Glenview Neighborhood Park, City Council approved the development plan at their March 25 meeting, and staff is proceeding with the preparation of the plans and specifications for construction of the first phase of development. Negotiations are continuing with the developer on the acquisition of 11 acres of parkland in the Thornbridge subdivision. Phase I Bike Route Signage and Signs, TxDOT has approved our contract with NJB, Inc., and Council will consider execution of the agreement at the April 8 meeting. 2 North Hills Mall Multi-Use Trail, an ISTEA Grant Application, was submitted March 15, 1996. Girls Fast Pitch Softball Complex, design work is progressing. The notice of award for the grant is scheduled for July 31, 1996. City Park Site, a TPWD Grant Application will be submitted prior to the July 21, 1996 deadline, and design work will continue until the anticipated award notification in January 1997. Construction on Phase I, the ballfield portion, is expected to begin in March 1997. City Hall Landscaping and Irrigation design is in progress and is scheduled for the second week of April. NRH2O "Enhancements", contractors have begun layout work and preliminary site preparation. The new slide tower work is scheduled to begin the second week of April. Standard Park Signage, the consultant is preparing preliminary concepts for the various types of signage within our parks and trails. Richfield Park Improvements, design work is in progress and the projects are scheduled for construction this summer. Mid-Cities Boulevard Landscape and Irrigation, Plans and Specifications are being prepared, and is tentatively scheduled for bidding in May. 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. ITEM 5. RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SENIOR ADULTS Ms. Monica Walsh provided a report of activities in recreation, athletics, and senior adult services. The Family Festival in the Park was held at Northfield Park on Saturday, March 30. This celebration of families was expanded to an all day event. Activities included Easter egg hunt, climbing wall, pony rides, petting zoo, sports activities, arts & crafts booths, live entertainment and other childrens activities. Mr. Tipps commented on the Family Festival In The Park, he said the event was well organized, with a lot of things were going on. Ms. Walsh explained that the Festival was headed up by Sharon Davis and a committee. Ms. Walsh stated that the attendance for 1996 was 9,000 up from 2,500 last year. Ms. Walsh thanked Ann Perchard for her help with the information booth and doing such a great job organizing the Teen Court Volunteers. Mr. Glenn Nerwin helped out by promoting the Hike and Bike Trail System. Entertainment included the Party Crashers, Crawfish and Sara Hickman. A notice was sent to all (500) city employees asking for volunteers for the Festival and only 3 people signed up to help out. The second annual Baby Olympics event was held with twelve participants. The competition categories included rattle race, speedy diaper change, most dimples and looks like mother, father, etc... This is always a fun program for the entire family to enjoy. 3 Spring Break Camp is scheduled for April 8-12 due to Birdville Independent School District extended school year schedule. The Recreation Center provided special one day programs associated with holidays include Leaping Leprechauns, In Search of Peter Rabbit, Easter "Egg" citement and Mother's Day workshop. Vickie Loftice, Superintendent of Recreation was selected as the National Parks and Recreation Southwest Region Young Professional of the year Award. This award is selected from individuals over a five state area. We are very honored that she received this award. The North Richland Middle After School program continues to provide an outstanding service to parents, students and the school. The Drama Club will be performing °Two for the Money" , a Hollywood Melodrama, on April 16, 7:00 p.m. at North Richland Middle School. More than 200 teens attended the After School Pizza Party at Northridge Middle School on March 21. Mayor Brown and Taylor Cole from Tecnol helped serve the pizza. In-Line Hockey, basketball and karate were featured activities for the event. Bursey Road Center A Covered Dish Luncheon was held on March 2, thirty five seniors attended the monthly luncheon. The seniors enjoyed great food, games and celebrated 22 birthdays for the month of March. The Gad-A-Bouts took a trip on March 28 - 31- Forty seniors traveled to Natchez to enjoy the scenery, visit historical sights to and shop. Mary Tallant from Home Heath Care gave a presentation on the blood pressure on March 7, 1996. Once a month a health related topic is presented to the seniors. CDBG Project - Staff and the architect sent the plans to the county for approval. Upon approval from the county the project will be out for bid and construction will begin this summer. Dan Echols A St. Patrick Day Dance was held on March 12. More than eighty-five seniors came out to enjoy the festivities of the St. Patrick's Day Dance. Dancing, singing and great food made for a special evening. A Covered Dish Luncheon was held on March 20. Kenny Mills, a magician was the featured luncheon entertainment for Dan Echols. Seventy seniors attended the luncheon to get a"bag full of tricks" and a plate full of food. The Swinging Seniors brought home the first place trophy from the annual Hoe-Down Dance competition held March 23. Way to go Swinging Seniors! 4 ATHLETICS Staff met with both soccer associations Haltom Richland Soccer Association (HRSA) and North East Soccer Association (NESA) about having one representative from each group to work with the city. Both associations agreed and are working out some language on an agreement. National Youth Sports Coaches Certification Clinics have been underway for all youth associations. NYSCA baseball and softball clinics were scheduled with over 100 volunteer coaches trained. A tentative date for the Green Valley Community Park Grand Opening Celebration has been scheduled for Saturday July 20. Spring softball registered 75 teams for adult leagues participating five nights a week. The Spring Pre-Season Softball Tournament on March 2 at Northfield Park had 240 in attendance. The New Spring Volleyball registration is being accepted for the season beginning April 16, 1996. The City will sponsor a softball tournament, in association with Richland Hills Church of Christ, to benefit Christ Haven Orphanage in Keller. ITEM 6. CITIZEN PRESENTATION - RANDY BOURLAND - NRGSL POLICY Mr. Randy Bourland made a request to speak to the Park Board about an issue he has with the North Richland Girls Softball League. Mr. Bourland was not in attendance. Mr. Browne explained that the Parks and Recreation Department is not involved in internal policy making or league management for youth associations. Concerns or inquiries are directed back to the elected officers in the association. We ask the concerned individual to call the presidenUcommissioner of the youth association to discuss the issue. If the individual wishes to pursue the issue further, we suggest that they make a presentation at the next association board meeting. If the individual is still not satisfied with the results from the Association Board, staff reviews the Board's action. It is staff s opinion, based on the information available, that the North Richland Girls Softball League Board has been responsive and acted in good faith to address Mr. Bourland's concern. ITEM 7 SET MEETING DATE FOR PARK NAMING COMMITTEE The Park Naming Committee will get together and set a date after the Park Board meeting. ITEM 8 OTHER ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mr. Browne commended Mr. Bill Thornton and Ms. Patty Moos for handling and keeping track of 22 different projects all going on at one time. 5 Mr. Danny Sowell stated that Richfield Park sustained some damage during the high winds, some posts were broken and a net was missing. He was requested to call the Parks and Recreation Department directly so they may go out and inspect the damage. lTEM 9. ADJOURNMENT (Passed 6-0) Mr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Ms, .lackson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 P.M. Motion carried 6-0. , Don s, Chairperson ATTEST: C~~~u~~~ - Christina Lopez, Administrative Secretary 6