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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2009-08-03 Minutes..~ MINUTES OF THE OF NORTH RICHLAND HIBLLOS, TEXAS TING OF THE CITY HELD IN THE PRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 August 3, 2009 Preser t: Marty Kusmierski Ricky McElroy Tito Rodriguez Marlin Miller Jay Crane Mike Filis Tracye Tipps Absen~:: Brad Greene Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Alternate Board Member Staff tilembers: Vickie Loftice Managing Director of Community Services Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Sharon Davis Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Swartz Waterpark Manager Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Marty Kusmierski called the meeting to order August 3, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. 3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEMBER Ms. V' kie Loftice welcomed Tito Rodriguez to the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Rodriguez will b~serving in Place 2. He also serves on the Park and Recreation Facilities Development Corporation, Red Light Board and is the President of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Page 1 of 6 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 1, 2009 MEETING APPROVED MR. i LLER MOPED TO APPROVE THE MINUTE8 OF THE JUNE 1, 2009 PARK AND RECREATION BOAR~MEETINQ~. MR. CRANE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTIONN TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. 5. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Each wear the Park and Recreation Board hold elections for the position of Chair and Vice Chair. The elections are held in the month of August after City Council finalizes appointments to the 3oards and Commissions. MR. 11~ILLER NOMINATED MS. MARTY KUSMIERSKI FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR, MR. MCELROY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTTO N TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. MR. ELROY NOMINATED MR. BRAD GREENE FOR THE POSITION OF VICE CHAIR, MR. MILLER 8ECO~ED THE MOTION. MOTIQ+N TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. 6a. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Vickie Loftice, Managing Director of Community Services presented the report. • Update on the new Recreation Center - A number of individuals were invited to serve on a Exploratory Committee for Senior Services. This committee discussed the possibility of adding senior services to the new recreation center. Three public input meetings have been held to solicit input from the seniors on whether or not to include senior services at the new recreation center. Staff mailed 3,443 letters inviting seniors to the public input meetings with about 300 people attending. Approximately 95% supported adding senior services to the new facility. The main concern expressed was the size of the facility for the senior space. FY08/09 Budget Update -Sales tax revenue is currently down by 8%. In October the City began a budget contingency program that had already been established. The Parks and Recreation Department has three park staff positions open. Due to the hiring freeze, we were reogcu~iss of hirin pnew staff to fill those pos t ons Budgetbetreat are now beginning the p 9 is scheduled for August 7 8~ 8. Park an i Recreation Board Minutes August 3, 2009 Page 2 of 6 ~. I ^ :« 6b. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS CURRENT PR06RAMS AND SERVICES Ms. St iaron Davis, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation presented the report. The aan Echols Senior Center awarded a $500 scholarship to Michael Scott Creason, a Richland High graduate. Students were asked to write an essay on "How does the current econo ny effect you and your family?". The ichland Tennis Center court resurfacing project is complete. All sixteen courts were resurfaced to match those used in the prestigious U.S. Open event. The new colors, U.S. Open Blue and Florida Green, not only appeal to the eyes, but also enhance visibility to their contrast in color from the ball. Appro. cimately 65 people attended the My Part of Town Movie Night which was held on Friday, July 11 at Dick Faram Park. Staff arrived about 1.5 hours early before the movie began so families could enjoy some fun games. °Hotel for Dogs° was shown on the giant movie screen. Richland Tennis Center hosted the Championship Major Zone Tournament on July 11 - 13. The tc ~urnament was for 12 - 18 year olds and had 526 entrants from all over the state of Texas. Eight different sites were used throughout the Metroplex. The Missoula Children's Theatre Camp was held July 13 -18 ending in a public performance of They Princess and the Pea. The camp reached capacity with 60 participants enrolled. The ecreation Center began using electronic surveys in July to conduct summer program evalu tions. The e-surveys were sent to class participants or their parents. Staff hopes to see a belt r return than with traditional paper surveys. The ~uad Cities Family 4th Fireworks Show was held on Saturday, July 4 and began at 9:30 p.m. pproximately 30,000 spectators enjoyed the 20 minute display of pyrotechnics. The 4th annual Artists at Work Juried Employee Art Exhibit will be on display at the NRH Public Library from August 14-21. The exhibit is open to all employees of the City of NRH and their spouses and children. The winners will be announced at the Opening Reception scheduled for Friday, August 14 which will take place at the NRH Library from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Mr. NMarlin Miller asked about the Astronaut Training Center. Ms. Sharon Davis responded that tt ~e Astronaut Training Center has been leasing space from the City and they have been open everyday. Channel 5 and 11 news came out and did stories on the Center, but their numb :rs are not quite what they were hoping for. Their contract goes through the end of August. Park 8n ~ Recreation Board Minutes August 3, 2009 Page 3 of 6 ~~- ~ - ~~ .~,.:~ ~ w .,, ,~a~ *- 6c. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bil I Thornton presented the report and showed a video clip of the capital projects. The 81vd 26 Trail project is now moving forward. City Council approved an amendment to the grant agreement at their July 13, 2009 meeting to allow the use of ARRA (stimulus) funding. Bids are scheduled to be issued August 7 and due on August 31, 2009. Staff i ~ nearing completion of acquiring easements for the Calloway Branch Trail and the Little E dear Creek Trail. Site w ork is beginning on the Central NRH Recreation Center. A site topo, survey and tree survey, are in the process of being completed. Staff will also seek Council direction on including senior services in the new recreation center and building layouts. Ms. Loftice commented that top amenities requested for the new facility include indoor aquatics, health & fitness and an indoor walking track. Mr. McElroy asked if the facility would be designed to include; future expansion opportunities. Staff commented that it would be. Arcadia approved the final plans for the Grand Avenue Park Plaza. Bids are anticipated to be issuec on August 14 and due on September 10. Staff i s beginning a new revitalization project for the Fossil Creek Park area. Improvements will ins;lude a new playground and trail connection to the park. An RFP has been prepared for surve~- work while the design will be completed in-house. Staff i ~ drafting a policy providing guidelines for selection of names eligible for the Founders and Legacy Recognition Program. The K playground shade structures at Norich, Dick Faram and Walker's Creek Parks are complete. Mr. Thornton showed pictures of the completed projects. The og Park Association continues to try and raise money for the association's share of the cost adding lights at the park. To date they have held three events. The eplacement of the stairwells at Cross Timbers Park is complete. This project is part of the P rks Infrastructure Maintenance that is planned for each year. Projects are idenffied actor ing to the Asset Management Plan for the Parks Division. The 2009 Annual Tree Planting project is complete. Since the annual tree planting began, we halve added 750 trees to our urban environment. Staff completed final layout work on the Educational and Interpretive Signage for Cross Timbers Park, HomeTown Lakes Habitat, Walker's Creek Trail and the North Electric Trail. The s gns will be sent out for bid. The [ )avis Blvd Streetscape project is on hold pending a resolution with TxDOT on their fundir g source. Park an d Recreation Board Minutes August 3, 2009 Page 4 of 6 ..::max ~ a,~~~ z.__.. _,. _.. _., 4 The ccmtractor has begun excavation and rough grading on the Liberty Park Lake project. Mr. Thomton commented that a lot of dirt is being moved from that site. The I I.uv New York Mural has been reinstalled and is complete. A neH ~ rules and regulations sign has been installed at Tipps Canine Hollow. Staff also installed crushed granite near paved areas and introduced a v_gry tough form of Bermuda sod to the area. As a preventative measure, staff inspected and replaced all the sports field lights pier caps. The flUOring in the community room at the Richland Tennis Center has been replaced with tile. TF pis project was performed in-house. The re strooms at Green Valley have been painted. Mr. Fil is commented that the archway located on the restroom concession facility at Richfield Park c toes not seem to be aging well. Staff responded that it is about time to refinish the wood ~n that structure again. Due to it being a wood structure and the environment, staff has to refit iish that structure on occasion. Mr. Rc ~driguez commented about the identification signs on the trails. He asked about "you are here signs" and signs that warn that a street crossing is coming up. Staff commented that some of these signs are included in the Educational and interpretative signage that is currently being bid out. Mr. C ane inquired about water fountains at all of our parks. Staff commented that most of our p~rks have water fountains. Mr. Fi is asked about the cameras at Richfield Park. Some of them appear to have been movec I. Mr. Thornton responded that staff worked with the individuals who monitor the cameras to have them realigned for better positioning. 6d. AQUATIC PARK MANAGER'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS Mr. Chris Swartz presented the report. NRH2 has experienced a roller coaster season full of ups and down. The last two weeks of July v sere not very good due to the weather, but the last two days beat out last years numbers with good weather and good performance. Dive I n Movies will be wrapping up soon. Due to weather, Madagascar: Escape to Africa which was scheduled for June 12 has been rescheduled for August 7. Splas Bash is a new event NRH2O began this year. It is geared towards the younger teens er and features a band, video games contests and other age appropriate inclusions. Splas Bash is held at Beachside Bay with the next one scheduled for August 8. Admission is $9.00 or $5.00 with a season pass/same day ticket. Park anJl Recreation Board Minutes August 3, 2009 Page 5 of 6 NRHZP will hold their final fireworks show for the season on August 15. The fireworks shows last sightly longer than 10 minutes and have been very well attended. The NRH Fire Department supervises the shows for safety. NRHZO continues to increase their use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The p arents of children participating in swim lessons have actually opened Twitter accounts and s1 aff is able to communicate information to them rather quickly. Mr. Swartz asks for everyone to hope for good weather for the remainder of the season. 7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The utumn Night Music concert series has been canceled due to the current budget shortf~ll. Iron ~orse Golf Course will be celebrating their 20~h Anniversary and the opening of C.A.'s Grillo August 17 with a golf scramble and reception. Staff is hosting a retirement reception for Mr. Cunningham on Friday, September 24 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. 6. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Kusmierski adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p. ,1~ ~ C, `~~~. Marty usmi Chair ATTEST: 1 us gac~ 0/~ ~ ~f'iristina Lopez, Adn(~ni~ative Secretary Park anc I Recreation Board Minutes August 3, 2009 Page 6 of 6