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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2009-02-09 MinutesMINUTES 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 February 2, 2009 Present: Tom Lombard Marty Kusmierski Ricky McElroy Jay Crane Mike Filis Marlin Miller Tracye Tipps Absent: Staff Members: Brad Greene Vickie Loftice Bill Thornton Sharon Davis Chris Swartz Christina Lopez Tina Earle Chairman Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Alternate Board Member Director of Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Waterpark Manager Administrative Secretary Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Tom Lombard called the meeting to order February 2, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2008 MEETING APPROVED MR. CRANE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2008 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MS. KUSMIERSKI SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. The Park Board adjourned so a group picture could be taken for the City's website. Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2008 Page i of 5 4-a. PRESENTATION OF YOUTH ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORTS The Parks and Recreation Department provides athletic facilities for three youth sports associations. Each year the youth associations are required to make a presentation to the Park and Recreation Board outlining the programs and services they provide and the status of their association. The following youth associations made their presentations at the February 2, 2009 meeting: Orlando Ochoa -North Richland Girls Softball League Rick Miller -Richland Youth Association Mr. Marlin Miller requested a copy of RYA's schedule. 5-a DIRECTOR'S REPORT Metroplex Benchmark Findings - Ms. Loftice distributed copies of the 2007 Metroplex Benchmark Findings which was conducted by the University of North Texas Survey Research Center. The survey was taken between October 3 and November 11, 2007 and showed very favorable numbers for the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Loftice also thanked the Park and Recreation Board for their leadership. New Recreation Center Update - Ms. Loftice presented several locations that are in consideration for the new Recreation Center. As soon as the site has been selected, the design phase can begin. Astronaut Training Center (Old Library Space) -Staff has been working with Ed and Craig Bandy of Bandy Entertainment on the use of the old Library space for an Astronaut Training Center. The Bandy's presented a comprehensive proposal to parks and recreation staff for the development of an Astronaut Training Center Exhibit. The exhibit would be designed to entertain people of all ages and educate visitors about various aspects of space exploration. It will contain learning stations, simulators, training equipment and experiences not currently available to the public. The exhibit is proposed to be open to the public for three months beginning at the end of May. This summer marks the 40th Anniversary of the first walk on the moon. The Bandy's are currently working on getting sponsors and funding for the exhibit. Social Transportation for Seniors - Ms. Loftice has been working with the Community Enrichment Center, the Isolated Senior Resource Group and the United Way on establishing a social transportation service for seniors. One in five seniors feel socially isolated to some extent and this program would help reengage them and reduce isolation by providing transportation to and from social functions. The STS would provide transportation to qualified NRH seniors within a 7 mile radius of Mid Cities Blvd and Davis Blvd. Approved volunteer drivers will provide transportation service Monday - Page 2 of 5 Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The program is expected to begin in late spring or early summer 2009. 5-b. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Ms. Sharon Davis updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: The 18'h annual Daddy/Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, February 7 at the BISD Fine Arts/Athletic Complex. The 2"d annual NRH/North Hills Chiropractic Community Health Fare was held with over 500 participants and 30 vendors. Dates and times have been confirmed for the 2009 Companies in Action. The event will kickoff with Dodgeball on February 28. The Richland Tennis Center held two special event days in February: Prince Demos & Drills and a February Fun Day. The Cultural Arts Division was invited to participate in the Gifted and Talented Summer Activity Fair held on Saturday, January 31. The fair was open to parents and students enrolled in the Texas Association of Gifted and Talented in Birdville, Keller and H.E.B. ISD's. The lineup has been finalized for the 2009 Sounds of Spring Concert Series: April 3 - The Kildares, April 10 - Quebe Sisters Band, April 17 -Petty Theft, April 24 -The Texas Gypsies, May 1 -Tin Roof Tango and May 8 - Spector's Gun Collection. There will be a three minute fireworks display at the first and last concert. The first Center Council meeting of the year was held on January 15 at the Bursey Road Senior Center. Mrs. Jo Cox was elected as the 2009 President. Dan Echols also held their first meeting of the year on January 14 with Marlin Miller being elected as the 2009 President. AARP Tax assistance is being offered at the Dan Echols Senior Center from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reservations are required. 5-c. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2008 Page 3 of 5 The Davis Blvd Streetscape project is on hold pending the availability of funding through TxDOT in the next fiscal year. Staff is anticipating USACE approval on the Liberty Lake Phase I and II prior to February 2, 2009. Bids for the landscape work for the Median and Entry Way Improvements at Glenview & Loop 820 were issued the first week of December. Contracts were awarded January 6, 2009. Installation of the landscape material is nearing completion. Mr. Thornton showed a brief video. Construction began on the Third Phase Attraction at NRH2O. The relocating of existing utilities is nearing completion. Mr. Thornton showed a brief video. Mr. Thornton reviewed the projects that will be included in the 2009/10 Capital Improvement Program which were identified in the Park System Master Plan. Proposed projects include: Blvd 26 Trail, Calloway Branch Trail, Central West Neighborhood Park, Davis Blvd, Founders & Legacy Recognition Program, Grand Avenue Park Plaza, Liberty Lake Phase I & II, Lighting at Tipps Canine Hollow, LBC Trail, Shade Structure project and Public Art at Grand Avenue Park Plaza, Annual Tree Planting, Education & Interpretive Signage at Cross Timbers Park, Fossil Creek Revitalization Master Planning and Park Infrastructure Maintenance. Staff asked if there were any priorities that the Board would like to have considered. They suggested the following: additional signal art, small set of bleachers at Richfield Park basketball court, shade structures over play equipment, HomeTown Lake stocked with fish and benches along the trails. Some of the board members suggested holding a "brainstorming" session on ways to generate funds for Parks and Recreation. Ms. Kusmierski would like this on the next agenda and she will take the lead on this. 5-D. AQUATIC PARK MANAGER'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS NRH2O winter season pass sales are slightly down through December 31, 2008. NRH2O has extended the pass sale and will continue to do so for the immediate future. NRH2O has begun the hiring process of their approximately 400 team members. Several job fairs have been planned for the 2009 season, and will begin at the end of February. NRH2O is partnering with Chick-fil-A and Dr Pepper for coupons for the 2009 season. Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2008 Page 4 of 5 s. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The Boards and Commissions Reception will be held on February 3 at 7:00 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Lombard adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Tom Lombard, Chairman ATTEST: a Christina Lopez, Administrati a retary Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2008 Page 5 of 5