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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1992-01-20 Minutes CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS PARRS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MONDAY, JANUARY 2 0, i,+9~~'1 r~{ d~ BOARD IN ATTENDANCE : Don Tipps, Chairperson Sharon Battles, Vice Chairperson J. Douglass Davis David Allen Russ Mitchell Karen Allen BOARD NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Fenimore Bobbie Lambert ALSO IN ATTENDANCE : Jim Browne, Director of Parks & Recreation Monica Sue Walsh, Recreation Superintendent Jack Giacomarro, Parks Superintendent Tim Hightshoe, Public Grounds Foreman CALLED TO ORDER : Mr. Tipps, Chairperson at 6:35 P.M.. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTEB: Mr. Davis made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 1991 meeting. Ms. Battles seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor the motion. NEW BUSINESS : ITEM 3: YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION REPORTS Mr. Jim Streit, Commissioner, NRGSL, gave the following report: The North Richland Girls Softball League season officially begins April 6, 1992. Grand Opening will be held on April 4, 1992 and the League will be joining the Project Pride national clean-up day focused for Fossil Creek Park. Registratian will be held on the Saturdays of the month of February at Pointe Mall (formerly Outlet Malls of America). Tournament dates will be forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Department. ITEM 4: NORTH RICHLAND HILLS PARR FOUNDATION Ms. Barbara Stahl, 7804 Miracle Lane, spoke on behalf of the "Park Space Foundation". Ms. Stahl stated that she has organized a group of concerned citizens and filed Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Texas requesting "non-profit" status form the IRS for the purpose of establishing the "Park Space Foundation". This organization is dedicated to preserving natural areas, parks, open spaces and recreational amenities for North Richland Hills and the surrounding areas. ITEM 5: REVIEW OF PARR LAND DEDICATION ORDINANCE The Board reviewed the most recent revision of the proposed Park Land Dedication Ordinance as Mr. Browne explained the changes. Discussion was held on the changes. Mr. Allen made a motion to forward the Park Land Dedication Ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission, listing the items that were still not in agreement, to continue for a Public Hearing, concluding the process by presenting the Ordinance to Council for approval. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. ITEM 6: CITY/SCHOOL COOPERATIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT Members of the Committee and Staff gave the following information: Joint Citv/School Facility Use Agreement - Mr. Browne requested input from the Board on the Joint City/School Facility Use Agreement for existing facilities. Discussion was held on Maintenance and Cancellation Notice. Ms. Battles made a motion to make a recommendation to Council to accept the Joint City/School Facility Use Agreement. Mr. Allen seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Creative P1aYaround - Discussion was held. Comments and suggestions were requested for the next meeting. Mr. Tipps requested that Parks and Recreation Board appointees serve on a committee be formed to assist with the implementation of this project. Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Al1en will serve on this committee. (In the absence of either committee member Mr. Tipps or Ms. Battles have offered to assist.) Richland High School Complex Site Plan Review - Discussion was held on the proposed site plan (displayed). Ms. Battles made a motion that the Board endorse the proposed site plan. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Further discussion was held on other possible sites for the same type of project. ITEM 7: NORTH HILLS COMMUNITY PARR GRANT - STATUS REPORT Mr. Browne stated that Council has authorized the preparation of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Matching Funds Grant for the proposed North Hills Community Park Project. The deadline for the current application cycle is January 31, 1992. North Hills Medical Center's parent company, Hospital Corporation of America, is currently in the process of becoming a"public" corporation. This circumstance has prevented them from making a firm commitment to us regarding dedication of the land assets until later this spring when their corporate changes are complete. Randy Moresi, CEO of North Hills Medical Center, is still optimistic regarding the proposed park project on some scale. The project can be submitted for grant review by the July 31, 1992 deadline if those issues are resolved within that time frame. ITEM 8: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 1992-93 PROJECTS Mr. Browne gave the following information: Based on discussion with the County and City Staff concerning eligible Community Development Block Grant Projects within our City, it is recommended that the 18th year entitlement be allocated to the expansion of the parking area at the Bursey Road Senior Adult Center. Current parking is inadequate and additional paved parking is needed. The 17th year entitlement is being used for parking lot improvements at the Dan Echols Senior Adult Center, bids to be opened January 31, 1992. A public hearing and Council Resolution has been scheduled was January 27, 1992. Mr. Davis made a motion to recommend to Council to request the 18th year funds for the Bursey Road Senior Adult Center. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. ITEM 9s 1992-92 DEPARTMENT GOALS - STATUS REPORT The Board reviewed the status report updates on the Parks and Recreation Department's progress on the goals established by Council. Discussion was held on the "town square" type gazebo site possibly being on Dick Fisher Drive. Discussion was held reference the Fossil Creek parking lot. Keith Massey, 5509 Woodview, NRGSL Treasurer, stated that he would prefer the City spend funds on improving the Onyx Drive South bridge and park drainage system prior to making permanent parking lot improvements. Ms. Allen made a motion to reconsider paving parking lot at Fossil Creak Park until major improvements to Onyx Drive 5outh drainage system are made. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. The Board agreed that the Richfield Park Parking Lot project should be prioritized above the Fossil Creek Park parking lot. ITEM 10: DIBCUSSION OF SALES TAX FOR PARR AND RECREATION FACILITIES Mr. Browne stated that the State Legislature had adopted State Bill No. 376 which allows the levying of up to a 1/2 cent local sales tax for the purpose of acquiring park land and developing recreation facilities. A number of municipalities have adopted this sales tax via successful voter referendums. A successful referendum in North Richland Hills could generate between over $2 million dollars a year in revenues for park land acquisition and recreation facility development. Attractive features of this method include: * Non-residents help finance facilities that they may already be using or would in the future, through purchases made in our businesses. *"Pay as you go" principle can be applied as opposed to bond financing which incurs long term debt and heavy interest charges. A marketing firm might be prudent for this type of referendum to be successful. Mr. Allen made a motion to endorse the ij2 cent sales tax to be voted on in August 1992, if there are no conflicts, otherwise in January 1993. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. ITEM 11: PROPOSED U$ER FEE FOR FITNESS CENTER The Parks and Recreation Board approved the a recommendation in 1991 for a user fee changes. Details of the proposed policy and fee changes were reviewed. Discussion was held. Mr. Mitchell made a motion to take the proposal of a fee increase to City Council. Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Vote was five (5) yes and one (1) no. Motion carried. ITEM 12: DISCIISSION OF FIELD USE POLICY FOR YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS Mr. Browne stated that the Department is contacted periodically by youth sports associations regarding use of City facilities. The master planning process provided the information of deficiency in the number of fields necessary to meet the needs of our youth sports participation levels. A policy which would establish the criteria, guidelines and prioriti2ation for user groups would be advisable. Mr. Jon Harris, President of North Area Youth Association (NAYA) has requested an opportunity to address the Board on this issue at the February meeting and to request using the fields at Richfield Park when RYA is not utilizing the park. The Board established an "ad-hoc" committee to develop a policy to meet these needs. The "ad-hoc" committee is made up of Mr. Allen and Mr. Mitchell and will meet with Staff. ITEM 13: PARRS AND PUBLIC GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIVISION REPORTS Mr. Giacomarro gave the fallowing report: Fossil Creek Park: The fence work for the ballfield will be completed when the park has dried out. Norich Park and : Normal winter maintenance. Richfield Parks Northfield Park : The dugout gates have been re-positioned to enter from outside of the playing field. An 8 foot fence has replaced a 6 foot fence at the dugouts. Shadecloth has been installed on the dugouts to limit the amount of sun on the dugouts. Also infield repair is being done. ITEM 14: RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SENIOR ADIILT REPORTS Ms. Walsh gave the following report: The next class registration will begin February 10 for Session II. A Teen Dance has been scheduled for January 24, 1992 in the gym. HCA North Hills Medical Center has donated $5,000 for a joint hosting of the HCA Corporate Challenge. The HCA Corporate Challenge is directed for businesses in the northeast Tarrant County area. (The Board viewed a video on the "Boo Bash" held at North Hills Mall for Halloween 1992.) Registration for Co-Rec Volleyball Leagues is currently being held for power and recreational leagues. 1992 Spring Softball registration will be held from January 29, 1992 through February 21, 1992. A NYSCA Clinician Training class was held certifying 12 clinicians (5 from NAYA and 12 RYA). Bursey Road Senior Adult Center made $200 on the Annual Open House on arts and crafts items and cookies. The annual Christmas Party was held with Santa Claus making an appearance. A New Year's Eve Dance was held with cornbread and black eyed peas on the menu. The Dan Echols Senior Adult Center hosted a Candlelight Christmas Lunch and Dance. This was their first dance and had 60 people in attendance. ADJOURNMENT : Mr. Allen made a motion adjourn. Ms. Allen seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion to adjourn at 9:32 P.M.. ATTESTs . Don pps G na onzalez Chairman Recording Secretary