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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1991-09-03 Minutes CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND 8ILL8 PARRS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TIIESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 BOARD IN ATTENDANCE : Don Tipps, Chairman Bob Fenimore Sharon Battles J. Douglass Davis David Allen Oscar Trevino BOARD NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Bobbie Lambert ALSO IN ATTENDANCE : Jim Browne, Director-PARD Monica Sue Walsh, Recreation Superintendent Randy Rainbolt, Parks Foreman Tim Hightshoe, Public Grounds Division CALLED TO ORDER : Mr. Tipps, Chairman at 6:32 P.M.. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Davis made a motion accept the minutes as submitted. Mr. Fenimore seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor the motion. NEW BUSINESS S ITEM 3: YOUTH BPORTS ASSOCIATIONB~ REPORT Mr. Jim Streit, Commissioner, North Richland Girls Softball League gave the following report: A longtime coach, Sam Allen, has retired from coaching for the League. The League hosted an All-Star Tournament in mid-July with 21 team participating. The League was represented at the National Finals by two teams. Some of the young ladies in the League have received college softball scholarships. Roy Sotelo, Vice President, Richland Youth Association gave the following report: Football and cheerleading registration is near completion. ITEM 4: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFOL GRANT Mr. Browne stated that the Department has been awarded a second grant, this grant is from the America the Beautiful - Texas Tree Initiative Grant Program, was approved in the amount of $7,000.00. The project submitted was the joint development of a tree farm by the City the Birdville ISD and North Ridge Elementary School PTA. The City's matching portion of the grant will be "in-kind" services provided by the Parks and Recreation Department, Birdville ISD Staff and volunteers. This grant was prepared and is coordinated by Tim Hightshoe of the Public Grounds Division. This grant award will contribute towards a total of nearly $14,000 in Urban Forestry Program Grants to the North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation Department this year. Mr. Trevino made a motion to endorse the Resolution for this program. Ms. Battles seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. ITEM 5: RICHFIELD PARR LIGHTING PROJECT The Board viewed a brief video detailing the activity on the project. Demolition and construction are on schedule despite unusual rainy conditions in August. Installation is progressing well and it appears that the project should be completed as planned by October 1, 1991. ITEM 6: DAN ECHOLS SENIOR ADIILT CENTER Ms. Walsh stated that final inspection of the renovated facility was held on September 3, 1991. Minor items have not been completed, but the contractors should be completing their tasks. The "move-in" day was September 4, 1991. Tia England is the "contract director" from Senior Citizen Services of Tarrant County. Grand Opening has been set for October 5, 1991. ITEM 7: CITY/SCHOOL COMMITTEE IIPDATE The City/School Cooperative Planning Committee met on July 23, 1991 to tour facilities in Plano and then met again on August 29, 1991. Mr. Tipps, Co-Chairman of that Committee updated the Board on the progress of the City/School Cooperative efforts. Mr. Tipps stated that they are still "ironing" out some needs of the City and School District. Mr. Browne stated that it was decided to 1) draft a cooperative joint agreement and 2) have Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc. to draft a study for a conceptual Master Plan of Richland High School with a tennis center, hike & bike trails, natatorium in a phase developmental procedure with information on the grant application process. Ms. Battles and Mr. Fenimore stated that the tennis center was not high on the Parks Master Plan. Mr. Fenimore further stated that goals could be attained by phasing in other facilities since Birdville ISD has the land now. Also more points would be earned and put toward a grant application. Further discussion was held. Ms. Sherry Conaway, citizen of NRH stated that she was very excited about the City/School Committee~s work. No action was taken by the Board for recommendation to Council. ITEM 8: PARRB AND PIIBLIC GROIIND MAINTENANCE DIVISION REPORT Mr. Browne gave the following report: The new southern sector maintenance facility's construction will begin soon. The Watauga Road median landscaping has been completed and has been approved for final payment. Northfield Park : The Fall Softball Leagues season has begun. Richfield Park . The lighting project is in progress. Norich Park . Security lights are being replaced. Fossil Creek Park: Normal maintenance is beinq done. ITEM 14: RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SENIOR ADIILT REPORTS Ms. Walsh gave the following report: 1. Recreation Center programs, classes and activity report. A. Most of the classes are full and doing quite well. B. Summer Adventure Camp (Grades 1-6) have been completed. C. Channel 5 taping of "Ranger Tom" went quite well at the Recreation Center. D. The summer classes have been completed. E. The 1991 Halloween Carnival will be held at North Hills Mall. NCNB has been secured as a sponsor with a donation of $1,000.00. Brochures were mailed for the Fall/Winter schedule. August revenues reached an all-time high of $19,259.00 collected for one month. 2. Athletic programs, tournaments and activity report. A. The Co-Rec Summer Volleyball leagues have begun their season. C. Sand Volleyball Leagues will end this week. D. Fall softball registration has brought in 87 teams and began playing August 5, 1991. B. The Women's Volleyball Leagues began play on September 3, 1991. E. The Annual 5k Run will be co-hosted with "Open Arms". "Open Arms" is a community based association for abused children and women and the homeless. Laidlaw sponsored the t-shirts, Knowlton-English-Flowers, Inc. sponsored the awards and Presto Printing sponsored the flyers. F. Basketball registration is currently being accepted. An agreement is currently being worked on for Fort Worth Christian School to use the gym facility for volleyball. In turn the City would use their gym for basketball league play. 3. Senior Adult Center programs, classes and activity report. A. Senior Adult Center - Bursey Road - Update 1. Discussion was held on the naming of the Senior Adult Center located on Bursey Road. Mr. Trevino made a motion to allow the members of the Center to vote on a name and forward the voted name to Council for approval. Mr. Fenimore seconded the motion. Vote was six in favor and one nay (by Ms. Battles) 2. A"Live" Band dance was held on August 29, 1991 with 61 in attendance. A second dance has been planned for Halloween. B. Dan Echols Senior Adult Center - Update 1. A meeting was held with members of the AARP, Senior Citizen Services and City staff on the use of the facility and concerns by AARP. It was concluded that AARP would use the facility free of charge as a part of the Senior Citizen program. ITEM 10: PARR MASTER PI,AN WORRSHOP The workshop was held and is summarized on the attached report. ITEM il: DISCUSSION OF OTHER ITEMS Mr. Trevino asked for discussion on the possibility of changing the meeting day to be held on another day other than the first week of the month, due to his work schedule. Discussion was held and the Board decided to maintain the scheduled day as the first Monday of each month. Mr. Trevino at that time turned in his resignation from the Board since he cound not attend regularly, so that time is allowed for the new appointments from City Council. Mr. Trevino stated that he had enjoyed his term on the Board. ADJOURNMENT : Mr. Fenimore made a motion adjourn. Ms. Battles seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion to adjourn at 9:48 P.M.. ATTEST: , r ~ a ,r,.. - ~ ~ G ~ ~ . Don ipps Giria Gonza ez Chairman Recording Secreta NORTH RICHLAND HILLS PARR MASTER PLAN PARRB BOARD STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION I. POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS A. Continue to pursue joint development and cooperative use opportunities with Birdville I.S.D. and Fort Worth Christian School through the City/School Cooperative Committee. 1. Draft basic joint use cooperative agreement for Council and Birdville I.S.D. School Board of Trustees approval. 2. Solicit a proposal for professional services to develop a conceptual master plan, cost estimates, and to determine grant funding possibilities for a tennis center, soccer fields, multi-purpose trails and possible natatorium/swim complex on school district properties at Richland High School. 3. Promote the "creative playground" volunteer project in conjunction with the North Richland Hills' P.T.A.'s. 4. Implement the "North Richland Hills Tree Awareness" Project at North Ridge Elementary campus with the "America the Beautiful" grant. 5. Draft facility sharing proposal with Fort Worth Christian School and pursue facility development opportunities on that campus for soccer, softball, baseball, trails, playgrounds, etc.. B. Parkland Dedication Ordinance 1. Present the Parkland Dedication Ordinance, as prepared during the master planning process, to Council requesting implementation. 2. Upon implementation use Parkland Dedication Ordinance resources to meet the neighborhood park needs of future subdivisions and make appropriate renovation and facility improvements to existing parks providing "neighborhood" park services. Parkland dedication ordinance resources could also be applied towards the development of "linear" parks and facilities in "neighborhood" applications. C. City Master Plan Recommendations 1. Petition City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission to apply appropriate zoning, resolutions, etc., to designate Little Bear Creek as a natural area to be brought into the public domain and development as a linear park. Perhaps including the development of a comprehensive plan for this area that would tie together drainage, street planning, parks, schools, residential and commercial development that would offer ways to resolve the drainage problems while preserving the natural environment. 2. Designate Fossil Creek Park as "natural area" and fund a development master plan for that park which would include examining trail possibilities along Fossil creek through to Haltom City and Fort Worth to tie into the Trinity River greenbelt. 3. Address thoroughfare issues including: - Wilson Road (LBC) - North Tarrant Parkway, Davis Boulevard, Keller-Smithfield Road, Bursey Road and Kirk Lane (LBC) - Upgrading of Eden and Hightower - Expansion of Chapman Road - Newman Drive (Proposed) - Cannon Drive (Proposed) 4. Address drainage issues including: - Watershed Management Ordinance - Integrate public open space and park lands within the City's drainage corridors where appropriate II. LAND ACQUISITION The Parks and Recreation Board chose to apply the "low range" standard from the Master Plan, for our park land acquisition goals. By applying the "low range" standard, the following deficits exist, in the following categories, in the North Richland Hills Park System. PARR CLASSIFICATION 1990 DEFICIT 1995 DEFICIT (Acres) (Acres) Neighborhood - 35 - 46 Linear - 45 - 56 Community + 27 + 16 City - 37 - 59 The Board recommends that the "neighborhood" and "linear" park deficits be addressed through implementation of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance and through negotiation with the utility and pipeline owners of easements and right-of-ways throughout the City. The consensus was that the '~Little Bear Creek" corridor be emphasized as the primary area for initial linear park development. The 1990 "community" park guidelines show a"low-range" surplus of 27 acres which drops to a surplus of 16 acres for the 1995 standards. However, the City's current deficit in the athletic facilities that are normally found in "community" parks indicates the immediate need for additional "community" or "city" park land. The FSLIC property adjacent to Norich park would meet that criteria and falls geographically into a proposed "community" park service zone from our Parks Master Plan (p. 53). The Board and Staff recommend further study for the potential acquisition of that property, with consideration for funding via bond program, dedication, fee simple purchase or special sales tax. The deficit of "city" park acreage ranges from 37 to 59 acres from 1990 to 1995. The Parks and Recreation Board's opinion was that the best opportunity for additional "city" park development (50 acres+) in North Richland Hills would probably be on the Little Bear Creek Corridor. In summary: "Neighborhood" Parks - Funded through Parkland Dedication Ordinance. - Joint development with school sites. "Linear" Parks - Negotiate development with utility right-of-ways and easements. - Emphasize "Little Bear Creek" corridor. - Fund development cost with bonds, grants, Parkland Dedication Ordinance funds, etc.. "Community" Parks - Emphasize athletic facility development. - Evaluate property east of Norich Park. - Evaluate Richland High School Property. - Fund through dedication, lease, bond or special sales tax. "City" Parks - Examine possibility of incorporating a single 50+ acre tract within the "Little Bear Creek" corridor. - Fund through dedication, easement, bond, lease or special sales tax. III. FACILITIES A. The most significant facility deficits, based on "low range" standards for 1990-95 are: FACILITY 1990 1995 Soccer/Football Fields - 9 - 12 Development Costs ($1.6 Million - $20 Million) Multi-Purpose Trails - 5 Miles - 6 Miles Development Costs ($350,000 - $700,000) Tennis Center 0 - 1 Development Costs ($800,000 - $1,000,000) Aquatics Facility - 1.5 - 2 Development Costs ($2 Million - $4 Million) Baseball/Softball Fields + 4 - 3 Development Costs ($630,000 - $1,050,000) B. The Board recommended incorporating a multi-sport complex concept which would address tennis center, aquatics facility, multi-purpose trails and soccer/football fields. The Board supports cost sharing with Birdville I.S.D. for a feasibility study regarding land adjacent to Richland High School for this purpose. C. Baseball/Softball Fields could be addressed within a potential "community" park adjacent to Norich Park or incorporated into a potential "city" park within the Little Bear Creek corridor. D. Athletic Facility development in conjunction with Fort Worth Christian School should also be studied for feasibility. E. Funding for these facilities could be addressed in a bond program, joint development with Birdville I.S.D. or Fort Worth Christian School, grant applications and/or a special sales tax. IV. RENOVATION OF EXISTING PP,RKS AND FACILITIES A. The top renovation priority of existing parks, as determined by the Board, was to contract for a master development plan for Fossil Creek Park. This plan should address flooding, hydrology, preservation of natural areas, expansion of athletic facilities, improved parking areas, playground replacement, multi-purpose trails, interpretive center, etc.. Estimated cost $15,000 - $20,000 B. Renovation of the Richfield Park Sportslighting is complete as is the renovation of the Dan Echols Senior Adult Center. C. Parking lots at both Richfield and Fossil Creek Parks continue to be a renovation concern. D. Playgrounds in all city parks, with the exception of Northfield Park, are outdated and in need of replacement. E. The concession and restroom facilities at Richfield Park are inadequate and in need of replacement. V. SPECIAL PROJECT STUDIES A. The Board prioritized the following projects for further study and grant potential analysis as listed below: 1. Richland High School Park/Sports Complex 2. North Hills Medical Center Park 3. Fort Worth Christian School Athletic Facilities 4. Richland Plaza Indoor Sports Complex VI. FUNDING A. The Board recommended that upon completion of sufficient background study a Parks Bond Program be proposed to City Council for referendum around August, 1992. B. Staff is currently studying the one-half cent sales tax option from State Bill No. 376 for applicability to our situation.