Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2008-08-04 Minutesz MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 August 4, 2008 Present: Brad Greene Marty Kusmierski Ricky McElroy Jay Crane Mike Filis Tom Lombard Marlin Miller Tracye Tipps Absent: Chairman Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Alternate Staff Members: Vickie Loftice Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Swartz Waterpark Manager Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary Tina Earle Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator A-1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brad Greene called the meeting to order August 4, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. A-2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2008 MEETING APPROVED Motion: Mr. Miller moved to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2008 Park and Recreation Board meeting. Mr. Crane seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. A-3 ELECTION OF CHAIR Sz VICE-CHAIR APPROVED Mr. Miller moved to nominate Mr. Brad Greene for the position of Chairman and Ms. Marty Kusmierski for the position of Vice-Chair. Mr. McElroy seconded the motion. Mr. Greene stated that he appreciated the nomination, but wanted to allow the opportunity for someone else who might want to serve in that position. Mr. Miller withdrew his motion. Mr. Greene moved to nominate Tom Lombard for the position of Chairman. Mr. McElroy seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Mr. Miller moved to nominate Ms. Marty Kusmierski for the position of Vice-Chair. Mr. Filis seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Appreciation was expressed to Mr. Greene for his leadership over the last few years. B-1 MARKETING AND SPECIAL PROJECTS UPDATE Ms. Tina Earle, Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator, updated the Board on the department's marketing initiatives. Electronic Marketing -Constant Contact: The Parks and Recreation Department is using an electronic marketing service, Constant Contact, which allows staff to send newsletters and a-cards to members of the community announcing upcoming programs and special events. This service also allows staff to manage and build our contact list and track sent information. Ms. Earle has also been working with several media outlets to promote the department, parks, events and programs. Since October 2007, she has sent 43 news releases with a 100% pick up rate by one or more media outlets. ~. ., NRH Parks and Recreation launched the 31 Days, 31 Ways Campaign for the month of July to celebrate National Recreation and Parks Month. Staff put together a calendar and video which invited residents to discover the great opportunities available through parks and recreation. Ms. Earle showed the "31 Days, 31 Ways" video highlighting the campaign. B-2 PARK MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE Mr. Gary Bechthold was scheduled to present an update on park and infrastructure maintenance but due to illness, he was unable to attend the meeting. Staff will reschedule for the October 2008 meeting. B-3 PRESENTATION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY08/09 AND REVIEW OF CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Ms. Vickie Loftice presented the Park and Recreation Facilities Development Corporation Proposed Capital Improvement Program Budget for FY08/09. This information will be presented to the PRFD Corporation in early August. Members of the Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 4, 2008 2 Corporation include Brad Greene, Tom Lombard, Tracye Tipps and four members of City Council. Ms. Loftice reviewed the following projects: Completed Projects: Tree Planting Harwood Road City Entry Sign JB Sandlin Irrigation Improvements Glenview Median Entry Sign Improvements Park Infrastructure Improvements Security Lights and Camera Systems Additional Parking at Tipps Canine Hollow Continuing Projects: Blvd 26 Trail Calloway Branch Trail Central West Neighborhood Park Davis Blvd Streetscape Founders and Legacy Recognition Program Grand Avenue Park Plaza Liberty Park Phase I and Phase II Lighting at Tipps Canine Hollow Little Bear Creek Trail Playground and Bleacher Shade Structures - (Dick Faram & Cross Timbers) New Proiects: Tree Planting Education Signs /Interpretive Signage Fossil Creek Area Revitalization HomeTown Natural Area Restoration Mid Cities City Entry Sign Improvements Park Infrastructure Maintenance Playground and Bleacher Shade Structures (Walker's) Trail Signage and Identification Markers Mr. Miller commented on the cattails at Liberty Park. Staff stated that the cattails are very difficult to control, but they are treated two times a year. Mr. Lombard inquired about the funds for the addition of lights at Tipps Canine Hollow. At their last meeting, the Park and Recreation Board voted to not proceed with the addition of lights at Tipps Canine Hollow until the dog park users and association expressed the need for lights and showed their support for this project. Staff commented that the funds will remain in the CIP budget and be available for the addition of lights if and when the dog park association gets established and is able to contribute to the cost of the lights. Staff also noted that the Dog Park Association is getting organized and has begun holding regular meetings with about 15 people in attendance. Mr. Lombard inquired about the restoration of the Ace Park "I Luv New York" Mural. Staff is working with the insurance company on a remedy for the restoration/replacement of the mural. The mural cannot be pieced back together. A photographer will be photographing all the pieces and working with a graphic artist in recreating the panels. The panels will not be reproduced with the same acrylic material but with a poly resin material that will be able to withstand the Texas heat and cold. Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 4, 2008 3 B-4 NRH2O FAMILY WATERPARK UPDATE Mr. Chris Swartz, Waterpark Manager, updated the Park and Recreation Board on activities at NRH2O. Current park performance is still up, but not as high as it was in early July due to the announcement of a potential waterborne disease outbreak. On July 18, NRH2O received an alert about the potential waterborne disease outbreak and the outbreak was being investigated by Tarrant County Public Health. The Health Department asked pool operators to hyper-chlorinate their pools. Staff had already begun this process on July 18 when they received the first alert. NRH2O plans to hyper-chlorinate weekly through the end of the operating season. New this year at NRH2O is the addition of three fireworks shows spread throughout the season. The first two shows were held on June 21 and July 19. The last show is scheduled for August 16. The fireworks shows have contributed to the increase in attendance. The Accelerator Dispatch System has been installed and is working as designed. The dispatch system allows park guests to race each other down the slide and see their time and their finish place which increases excitement, repeat ridership and spectators. Dive In Movies have been well attended this year. The movies are held each Friday night through August 1. Anew projector was purchased midway through the year and the results were instantly apparent. Lifeguard Allison Schaffhauser received a Golden Guard award from Jeff Ellis and Associates, NRH2O's risk management consultant. This award is presented on an individual basis to someone who epitomizes the perfect guard - a guard that is SO GOOD that an auditor watches and says, 'WOW', that guard is the greatest! The Star-Telegram published an article on Sunday, August 3 profiling Tawsha Horn, a Lifeguard at NRH2O. Tawsha was quoted as saying "I just love the sun, the kids, and of course, the water. It's the best job ever." In staffs opinion it is one of the best articles printed about NRH2O. Mr. Miller asked how often the lifeguards move or rotate positions. Mr. Swartz said they rotate every 20 - 30 minutes or sooner depending on the temperature. NRH2O has an audible tone that is sounded throughout the park which signals the lifeguards to shift position and remain alert. They also have staff who checks on each lifeguard to make sure they have enough water, sunscreen and are doing ok. B-5 UPCOMING PARKS AND RECRETION DEPARTMENT RELATED CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. Ms. Loftice presented a brief overview of several items that are scheduled to be presented to City Council during the months of August -November. Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 4, 2008 4 r r r • Park and Recreation Facilities Development Corporation Review of Proposed Budget • Public Hearing for the Tax Tate & City Budget including the Park Development Corporation Budget • Special City Council Meeting -Tax Rate Public Hearing • Award Contract for the Construction of Grand Ave Park Plaza • Award Contract for Construction of Third Phase Attraction at NRH2O • NRH2O End of Season Report and Consensus on 2009 Pricing Ms. Loftice commented that Chris Swartz and his staff have done a really great job this year at NRH2O, as usual. NRH2O was on pace to have record revenue and attendance numbers but were derailed by the waterborne disease outbreak that affected all pool operators in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. C. OTHER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The 2008 Night of Holiday Magic is moving to NRH2O and will be held in the parking area. With the move to NRH2O, staff can leave the holiday scenes up for a longer period of time as well as provide additional visiting times with Santa and shopping in the Holiday Market. Parking will be provided at TCC. D. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Crane moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Mr. McElroy seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Brad Greene, C irman ATTEST: I ~~~ ~-~ Christina Lopez, Administrati a retary Park and Recreation Board Minutes August 4, 2008 5