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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 1985-06-04 Minutes ~ . CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Parks and Recreation Center Commission of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas. June 4, 1985 at 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, 7301 Northeast Loop 820. COMMISSION IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. David McGilvary, Chairman Mr. J. Douglas Davis, Vice Chairman Mr. Don Tipps Mr. Neal McCombs Mr. Milt Bockman Mr. Robert Fenimore (left at 7:45 p.m.) Mr. Wade Parkey ALSO IN ATTENDANCE Mr. David Barber, 7136 Meadowpark, NRH, TX Ms. Dorothy Brown, 7709 Perkins, NRfl, TX Ms. Patti Cranfield, 6716 Fair Meadows, NRH, TX Mr. Bobby Cunningham, 132 Springview, NRH, TX Ms. Carol Jackson, 5805 Crestwood Circle W., NRH, TX Mr. Odie Jackson, 5$05 Crestwood Circle W., NRH, TX Mr. James Jeffcoat, 6436 Dorchester Trail, NRH, TX Mr. Dan Ma.ywall, 6412 Devonshire Road, NRH, TX Ms. Linda l~iorgan, 7533 North Richland Blvd., NRH, TX Mr. Robert Morris, 6749 Starnes, 1~RH, TX 'k Ms. Sue Nichols, 2829 Winterhaven, Hurst, TX Mr. Robert Trice, 7552 Circle Drive, NRH, TX Mr. Doug Knowlton, 2749 Spruce Park, RH, TX MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mr. David McGilvary, Chairman at 6:34 p.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Motion made by Mr. Tipps to approve and accept as submitted, the minutes of the May 7, 1985 Commission Meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Parkey. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion by those in attendance at the Ma.y 7, 1985 Commission Meeting. NEW BUSINESS ITEM l: Motio~.i was made by Mr. Fenimore to Move Item 5 to Item 1. Motion was seconded by Mr. Parkey. Vote was unaminous in favor of the motion. ITEM 5: Ms. Jackson Requested that the Board intraduced themselves. ~ ~ Page 2 Those introduced were the following: Mr. Jim Browne, Recreation Coordinator, P&R Mr. Milt Bockman, Member Mr. Don Tipps, Member Mr. J. Douglas Davis, Member Mr. David McGilvary, Chairman Mr. David Mr. Petika, Director, P&R Mr. Wade Parkey, Member Mr. Bob Fenimore, Member Ms. Jackson then passed out a letter that parents received at registration time for RYA this year from Mr. Jeffcoat, then the baseball commissioner. She announced that she is the spokesperson for concerned parents of RYA. She stated that she feels that RYA is no longer furnishing the needs of the young people of the community. There has been a 507 decline in enrollment. Their continuing efforts to work with RYA have proven fruitless. If questions are raised about coaches,umpires,fairness at the games, financial statem~nts, there are no answers. If an RYA Board Member is app~oached to answer questions, they walk away. The parents feel that this is th~ir organization. They want in lieu of the Freedom of Information Act, Rev. 1974 the By-laws, Charters, ~ financial summaries, and description of procedures that are to be follvwed by the RYA Board. Profanity is being used by coaches and umpires, who are volunteers and are idolized by the children (8 year of age teams). Financial aspects of RYA need to be checked. After paying appro~cimately $30 for each child and $200 (for one team) for fund raisers, the RYA Board has told them that they are $5,000 in debt this year and had lost $7,000.00 in 1984. They have asked for financial records, but have been denied. They feel that monies are illspent or not going into RYA. There is a need for restructure in RYA. Mr. Petika - Requested a copy of her speech. Ms. Jackson complied. Mr. McGilvary - The City has an ordinance prohibiting use of alcohol in the City parks, but the use of profanity. He stated that the RYA has this ordinance in their by-laws, which the Parks Board only has an antiquated~copy. ~o the"Parks Board the ruies and regulation are only hear-say. In the past, the Parks Board has not had rules over RYA; nor can they control their internal affairs. Mr. Tipps - Made the suggestion that the RYp Boar.d and the Parks Board and Ms. Jackson and her representative have a meeting to discuss what the City needs and expects from RYA. Ms. Jackson accepted that, but Mr. Tipps suggestion was tabled by the Chair. ~ Page 3 Mr. Fenituore - Made Ms. Jackson aware that the Parks Board can not delve into the internal affairs of RYA. The Parks Board can set guidelines for park use. Mr. Davis - Stated that the Parks Board needs an opportunity to meet and discuss the City's involvment among itself. Mr. Cunnin ham - The RYA Board had asked him to be spokesperson and to be their advisor. He feels that the Board should hear two sides of the story. He realizes that all organizations have problems, and feels that the Parks Board and the RYA Board do need to meet. As a former president of RYA, he knows the by-laws and the rules and regulations, and feels Ms. Jackson is correct in a majority of her complaints. Mr, McGilvary - Clairified that Mr. Cunningham is the spokesperson for RYA. In the process of requiring and providing facilities, we can require or dictate what tertn, contractually, that we have not done in the past, that are going to be required to users of the City facilities, therefore, there will be a need for a meeting. Mr. Davis - Questioned Mr. Cunningham as to the m~nbership in RYA. Mr. Cunningham replied that there were 450 in 1984 and 470 in 1985. Ms. Turk - Mr. McGilvary told Ms. Turk that Mr. Laird, President of RYA, advised the Parks Board that Ms. Turk would speak on behalf of RYA. She stated that Mr. Laird had called her from Miami and told her to be at this meeting, she then called Mr. Cunningham to speak for her. Ms. Morgan - Stated that last year there were inte~nal problems and that she have never been notified of the RYA Board meetings. She has asked for financial statement and received an article that she does not consider a financical statement. She also asked if the parents would be involved in the meeting between the RYA Board and the Parks Board. Mr. McGilvary - Replied to Ms. Morgan that all Parks Board meetings are open to the public and that citizens are, of course, involved. The Parks Board will not discuss the internal aff airs of the RYA. The Parks Board wil set guidelines for any organization that would use the City facilities (parks). Ms. Jackson - Suggested that she or a representative draw up a contract for review by the Parks Board. Mr. Parke~ - Stated that as a past president of the RYA he knows and understands how she feels. He assured her that the Parks Board could fairly set up a contract. Mr. Tipps - Wanted clarification that Ms. Jackson does not trust the present Board of the RYA. Ms. Jackson replied that that was correct. ~ ~ Page 4 Mr. Fenimore - The Parks Board members are by appointment by the C~ty Council. Once again, the Parks Board can only make rules and guidelines for the City parks. The Board will make a contract by going by our guidelines and the RYA's guidelines. Ms. 3ackson - Stated that she understood that internal grievances should he aired with a grfevance committee within RYA, but with a starting basis, they feel they should start with the Parks Eoard so that they can be knowledgeable and included. Mr. McGilvary - Intraduced Mr. Petika, Director of Parks and Recreation Department, to explain any requirement by the Board of any organization. Mr. Petika - 1. Explained that the City board meetings are open meetings and open for group discussion. Meetings are advertised and posted. For expedition and efficiency, it would be much more simpler to meet with one or two members of the RYA and two members of the Parks Board to make the. contract. The Parks Department is concerned with the physical facility itself, not the day to day operations of that ozganization. 2. Items on the contract could include: A. Their rules be adhered to. (At this time, Mr. Petika verbally requested the rules and regu],ations of the RYA.) B. Trash after any activity be pick up or that organfzation be billed for the clean-up that follows in the morning. C. No profanity be used during a game. D. Limited game times. E. Three and one-half months to complete all play. 3. The Parks Board cannot require for any organization to alter their internal structure. An organization is a saparate entity that has to deal with the City. At this time, the Chairman has asked me to request that the funds be audited to be presented to the City annually or semi annually. We_will loak at all organizations and set these guidelines for contract by looking at other citiies. It is much wiser for a sma11 group to work out details and present them to the larger group for approval. Mr. McGilvary - This agreement will be made of all organizations using City park £acilities. ~ Page 5 Mr. Cunningham - Wanted to reaffirm that he is not the president and a bascially new RYA Board was installed for this year. For some unknown reason to him, Ms. Jackson and her group's complaints have not reached the individual RYA Board members. He also stated that he would see that there would be an open board meeting. Ms. Turk related to Mr. Cunningham that the open board meeting would be Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at Richfield Park. At that time, Mr. Cunningham would answer questions, explain the structure of RYA, past and present relations with the City, the tax structure, how RYA was incorporated, etc. He explained that this was not a small organization. Their attorney is an ex-city councilman of NRH. Mr. Cunningham stated that he would "hash it out" for the city by getting this meeting together. Mr. McGilvary - Mr. Cunningham was corrected in that he should direct his remarks to the Parks Board and that he would not "hash it out" for the City. Mr. Cunningham - Remarked that he would like to help the City and try to straighten the internal problems out with RYA and its members. With this meeting, he feels it would be resolved and be taken care of. Mr. Parkey - Asked Ms. Turk to notify the Parks Board of their open board meeting, should any of our members wish to be there. Again the meeting was announced to be Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. at Richfield Park. Mr. Barber - Asked if Mr. Cunningham can offic3ally speak for Board members of RYA about the meeting. Ms. Turk stated that a acting in the president`s absence she has asked Mr. Cunningham to speak for the RYA Board. Mr. McGilvary - The Parks Board is here to listen to the citizens. We are concerned about internal affairs of the RYA, but we (the Parks Board) can not do anything about it. The meeting neztt Tuesday, June 11, is only for the internal affairs of the RYA and is being held by their Board. Ms. Jackson - When problems began, they took them to their baseball commissioner, Mr. Jeffcoat, now the forsner baseball commissioner, and received cooperation from him. As he tried to work these problems out, he was relieved of his position by the RYA Board. This shows another reasan why we are concerned with the RYA Board. Mr. 3effcoat - Explained that he only intended to listen, but now has relate some information to the Parks Board. When Mr. Ellis, former baseball cammissioner prior to Mr. Jeffcoat} left office approximately thx'ee years ago, there were approximatley 1200 young people in RYA. To correct Mr. Cunningham's figures, in 1984 the RYA enrolled 482 boys, and in 1985, 494 boys. This would figure at least a 700 participant drop in the past 3-4 years, even with the rapid growth of NRH. He stated that Mr. Cunningham does not speak £or the Board, as he holds no official capacity and refused to be a coach or take any position on ~ the Board this year, and was never given a position. At a particular Board meeting that both Messrs. Jeffcoat and Cunningham were present , , Page 6 Mr. Cunningham refused an assignment an~ walked out of an RYA Board meeting. It was the same meeting that Ms. Turk tried to remove Mr. Laird as President, which was his first meeting. The RYA has stated that they want a contract with the City, but approximately 10 days pri.or to this meeting, Mr. Cunningham stated in Mr. Jeffcoat's presence that they wanted no contract or controls from the City - that it was not the City's business. Also, if a financial statement was forced, that it should be doctored, Mr. Jeffcoat also stated that RYA is a select group of people who hold meetings in ditches and under trees, and do not inform the public of ineetings and do not want these r_oncerned parents involved. He was ~llegally removed by the Board as baseball cammissioner. Ms. Turk and Mr. Cunningham can not set any meeting. RYA does not represent the majority of the parents. Mr. Petika - Asked Mr. Browne to explain the conversation he had with Mr. Laird earlier today. Mr. Browne - Stated that Mr. Laird informed the Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Parks Board, that he could not be in town for this meeting, due to ~ob related obligations, but did express his concern. He stated that Ms. Turk was his representative and Mr. Cunningham was not to be recognized as a representative of RYA and would be speaking only as a citizen and that shauld be how the Parks Board should take it. Mr. Jeffcoat - Continued to say that Mr. Cranfield made him afraid for his personal safety. Mr. Jeffcoat is concerned with the children in the organization where the only items cared for are: 1. Maintaining a coaches winning streak 2. Stacking teams The entire effort of RYA and control is by a few people. The Board does not control the organization and the concern is more than the few people present. Mr. Knowlton - Affilliated with RYA for the past 13 years. Asks that the Parks Board consider other cities that come here to be involved in RYA. He also commended the City of NRH for the faciltiies. Mr. Jackson - Asked who should they go to to police the internal affairs of RYA. Mr. Petika - Explained that he will research the Sunshine Law to see if it applies to a non-profit organization. This law governs meetings public and quasi-public organizations announcements of ineetings. One of the regulations state that the meetings have to be posted in a conspicuous place five days prior to the meeting, and an ad must be ran in the paper, etc. If this law is violated, you may file, as a citizen, through the Attorney General's office for suit. Mr. Maywall - Stated that he is a parent, Board member, and coach of RYA. It is his opi.nion that Mr. Cranfield is doing a fine job with the children and is a good coach. Page 7 Ms. Nichols - Expressed her support for Mr. Cranfield as a coach. When asked by the Board if he used profanity in frant of the children on May 16 during a game, as well as getting physical and having a confrontation with umpires, she stated, "no". Mr. McGilvary - Reaffirmed that the Parks Board can not get involved in internal affairs of the RXA Board. The Parks Board will, once again, work up a contract with all organizations/users of the City's facilities. This contract will require such items as the Sunshine Law, open meetings, an audit of some type, etc. Mr. Trice - Stated that he wrote a letter to Mr. Laird, President of RYA, and Mr. Jeffcoat and personally gave these letters to them. (The Parks Board did not receive a copy of this letter.) Since he is raising complaints against the RYA Board, he feels that there will probably be efforts to remove him as coach next year. His concern is what his five year old son will have to grow up with. After his witnessing a grown person throwing a Cemper tantrwn, that persons efforts can nat be for the children who are 5, 6, 7, and even 8 years of age. These children can not care that much about winning. If this is so, the goals of RYA are sadly misdirected. He concluded by saying that aTl yauth organizations should be for the child, not for the adults. Mr. Tipps - Stated that the Parks Board's purpose is not to find a way to abolish RYA. The Board is for the benefit of the children. It is up to the RYA to work out their own problems and the City will supply the facilities. Ms. Browct - Asked if any monies are received from RYA. Would it be possible for these concerned parents to find out where these monias are going? Mr. Petika - The RYA pays only for the metered light bill. These are the only monies th~ City Xeceives from RYA. The No~th Richland Girls Softball Association also pay for their metered Zight bills. As a citizen, you are calling for the Sunshine Law when asking for records. If they can not be presented during business hours, then you have legal xecourse. The Parl~:s Board can not delve into the int~rnal wvrkings. Ms. Jackson - At this time, she ~verbally requested the records under the Sunshine Law from the RYA. Mr. McGilvary - Stated that the Board is not in the pasition to give legal advice. Ms. Cranfield - At this time, requested a copy of the letter that was written to the RYA Board and the petition, along with the minutes. She also stated that some parents who had signed the petition now wanted their names removed. Mr. Petika - Stated that the Parks Board minutes are a public record, the Board can noC give the letter, due to the fact that the letter was ~ not addressed to the Parks Board, but to the RYA Board Members and ' Co~nissioner. ~The Board is not addressing any internal problems. Page 8 Mr. McGilvary - The chair requests staff to develop the guidelines to a contract for users of City facilities, specifying what requirements there would be of them, i.e., prohibiting profanity, audit, policing area, trash clean-up, maintenance and submit to the Board in written detail. Also, the Board meet with all present users of facilities and conclude some guidelines that citizens can live with. Motion made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Tipps. Vote unani~ous in favor of the motion. Mr. McGilvary stated that the subject is now closed, and asked if anyone else would Iike to address the Board. Mr. Morris - Stated that he is a coach and wanted to know what ro11 the RXA plays in the ~aintenance of the parks. He requested that the parking lot at Richfield Park be repaired. Mr. Petika - Stated that the City maintains the outfields, dumpster removal, cleaning of restrooms, parks, and repair of electrical items. The RYA pays city for the use of inetered lights and all that applies to the playing of the game. As to the repair of the parking lot, the Parks and Recreation Department has requested, since October, 1984, Public Works to repair this location. Ms. Bxown - Wanted to commend the City that Northfield Park is a beautiful park and appreciated/thanked the City for its construction. ITEM 1: The chair asked that a motion be made to table Item l, due to not having the necessary equipment needed to view the slides of the parks. Motion was made by Mr. Parkey, seconded by Mr. Davis. Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. ITEM 2: Mr. Browne reported that the City's first attempt on softball leagues for adults has had a very goad.response despite the late starting date. There is one men's open slow pitch on Thursday and Monday evenings. This includes 14 teams generating over $4,000.00 If there is a co-ed league, it will generate an additional $2,030.00. He is in the process of working up a second league for Monday's men's open slow pitch, that would start June 24, 1985. At this time, we are attempting to recruit seven teams from Fort Worth for a fast pitch league. Ballfield rentals have generated $180 in 3 weeks. At present there are 12 officials and scorekeepers. We are taking bids for concessions. The league standings will be published weekly in the Mid-Cixies Aaily News. Mr. Parke commended Jim for his efforts in accomplishing the City's adult leagues bageball program Mr. Browne added that the fields are almost in shape. The Parks' crews have done a miracle to prepare the fields for play in such a short ti.me. Page 9 ITEM 3: Mr. Petika.stated that the City's consulting engineers spec the lights at Northfield incorrectly. And that the City is attempting to get these errors corrected. He stated that he had a meeting with a Spalding representative on Wednesday at 9 a.m., and on Thursday he would meet with Mr. Line and the City Attorney at 1:30 p.m. In 1978 the lights had been changed, and the engineers used that date spec for the foot candle distance. Also, the engineers decided to place Iess expensive lights with different fixtures. The lights that are at the Northfield balldiamonds are good for parking lots, but useless for ballfields. Mr. Petika also stated that Che poles are the right height, and the lights are wrong. Mr. Davis questioned why the Parks and Recreation Department maintain the mowing of the water tank~. Mr. Petika explained that the Department is responsible for all right-of-ways and that is included in our duties. Mr. Jeffcoat questioned as to the sysCem used to run the City's leagues and who overse~s the operation. Mr. Browne explained to him that there is a$290.00 charge per team for a 12 game season. On a long term budget, we are looking at a 25~ revenue above the City's cost. Mr. Jeffocat asked these questions to look for answers for the concerned parents of RYA. The chair informed him that histarically, very few cities will handle youth programs. ITEM 4: Mr. Browne announced the Grand Opening for Northfield Park will be June 23, 1985. The agenda is as follows: 1:00 - 2:00 Countrq and Western Band/Activities 2:30 Opening Remarks by Councilwoman Moody 2:45 Introduction of Mayor-City Manager Council Memebers Parks Board Members 2:50 Ribbon Cutting Ceremany 3:00 Pioneer Fashion Show 4:00 Games/Activities 6:00 Softball Game - Fire Department vs Police Department Mr. Browne added that the P&R Department is aSso providing 50 folding chairs, six banquet tables and 2-3 sets of porta-potties. He has also requested same promotional activities from Wheaties and NBA Hot Shot, but since we requested this after the deadline.date, it may be arriving late. ITEM 6: The input fram the Board was that Northfield Park is need of trees. Zt was suggested that citizen give trees in the fall for a tree planting program - It was also added by Chair that Mr. Petika work on the contract with staff. We reque5ted the rules formally from RYA, and when that is received thcn the contract/draft can be compiled, to include a copy of their annual audit. • Page 10 Motion was made by Mr. Tipps to ad3ourn the meeting, Mr. Parkey seconded. Vote was unanimous ta adjourn at 8:25 p.m. , ; , ~ ~ ~ ~ n G . Go ` Re rding Secretary ~