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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2010-04-19 Minutes 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 April 19, 2010 Present: Marty Kusmierski Chair Ricky McElroy Board Member Jay Crane Board Member Mike Filis Board Member Tito Rodriguez Board Member Tracye Tipps Alternate Staff Members: 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 Adrien Pekurney Recreation Center Manager Ron Newman Program Coordinator Gary Bechthold Parks Superintendent Lexi Mose Intern Absent: Brad Greene Vice -Chair Marlin Miller Board Member 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Kusmierski called the meeting to order April 19, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2010 MEETING APPROVED MR. RODRIGUEZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2010 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MR. MCELROY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Chairwoman Kusmierski called the following forward: Mr. Robert Rice, Vice President for the Richland Youth Association, 1003 Waterbury Court, Keller, TX 76248. Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 1 of 7 Mr. Rice formally thanked and expressed his appreciation to Mr. Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent and Mrs. Sharon Davis, Assistant Director, for what they and staff do in maintaining the park system. RYA held their opening day with approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people in attendance. 4. RECOMMENDATION TO READOPT THE YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE ORDINANCE APPROVED Mr. Ron Newman, Program Coordinator, reviewed the Youth Programs Standards of Care Ordinance. The Parks and Recreation Department offers day camp programs for children ages five to thirteen. The Texas Legislature requires municipal day camp youth programs meet day care licensing requirements or file for an exemption. The City of North Richland Hills meets and in some areas exceeds many of the standards listed in the state's Child Care Standards and Regulations. The application for exemption determination and the formal adoption of the Youth Programs Standards of Care and Ordinance is an annual requirement so that the Standards can be revised as needed to reflect current regulations. This is the third year for the formal adoption. Changes in regulations this year include the requirement for booster seats in vehicles for all children ages 8 and under and under 4'9" tall. The Parks and Recreation Department purchased five booster seats with parents providing additional seats as needed. Currently registration is at 546 campers out of 715 available spots. There are four returning Summer Camp Counselors with over 12 years of experience and five new Camp Counselors. One new Counselor is a former summer camp attendee. MR. CRANE MOVED TO FORWARD THE YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE ORDINANCE TO CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. MR. RODRIGUEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. 5a. TIPPS CANINE HOLLOW PARK PALS PRESENTATION Ms. Nancy Higgins (7915 Rogue River Trail, Haltom City, TX 76137), President of the Tipps Canine Hollow Park Pals Dog Park Association, requested to be placed on the agenda to make a presentation to the Park and Recreation Board. Also in attendance is Mr. Dave Leonard, Treasurer for Park Pals, 1808 Forest Glen, Keller, TX 76248 Mr. Leonard distributed a handout and updated the Park and Recreation Board on the Dog Park Association Board and activities to -date, in trying to raise money to add lights to the Dog Park. The association held a few events at the park over the last two years, and has raised $3,400 to -date. Some of the volunteers are getting discouraged due to the time and energy to hold the events and only raising a small amount. The association Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 2 of 7 would like to discuss options for the lights and see if there is a more economical solution or alternatives to consider. Park Board Member McElroy confirmed that staff hired a professional engineer to provide a cost estimate for lighting the entire fenced area of the dog park. The estimate also considered location to residential areas and site constraints. Ms. Higgins stated that some dogs get so conflicted when they are stuck inside and cannot go to the dog park because it is too dark. She also said adding the lights would be a benefit for families to use the park. Ms. Higgins presented information on the White Rock Lake Dog Park and stated that their lights were installed at a cost of $35,000. Mr. Leonard stated that the core group who started with the Park Pals is still together, but the association has less than ten members. Mr. Leonard would like to look for opportunities to build a community and then attempt fundraising again. Ms. Vickie Loftice, Managing Director, commented that she appreciates what the association is doing at the park and that Tipps Canine Hollow is a well loved park. This item is currently on the agenda as a presentation and can be brought back at a later meeting for full discussion. She also went on to explain that the Capital Improvement Budget is being affected by the economic down turn as some projects are being pushed back. Ms. Loftice stated that staff will get additional information to bring back to the Park and Recreation Board for their discussion and /or action. Ms. Higgins and Mr. Leonard thanked the Park and Recreation Board for listening to their presentation. 5b. FY10/11 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROPOSED BUDGET Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director, presented the 2010/11 Capital Improvement Program Budget. He reviewed sales tax revenues from 2002 thru 2012, Continuing Projects committed to 2010/11 to complete and New Projects. Continuing projects include: • Blvd 26 Trail — Almost ready to begin construction • Calloway Branch /Little Bear Creek Trails — Securing easements, Supplemental Agreement needs to go to City Council • Central West Neighborhood Park - No funding at this time • Davis Blvd Streetscape — Project pushed back, looking at alternate funding • Education /Interpretative Signs • Fossil Creek Revitalization — Project pushed back, pursuing a TPWD Grant • Founders /Legacy Recognition Program — Project may be shifted until the redevelopment of Northfield Park • Tipps Canine Hollow — Funding listed in CIP Budget • Trail Signage — Continue on the Cottonbelt Trail Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 3 of 7 • Phase II Walker's Creek Park — Pushed back due to funding New projects include: • Community Garden — Some funding budgeted, but will need to be developed as a grass roots effort • Park Infrastructure — Funding available for infrastructure maintenance • Bleacher & Dugout Shade Structures at Cross Timbers Park — Funding available • RTC Asset Management Program — Funding available New projects for NRH2O Family Water Park include: • Food Services Building at the current Hoppers location • New Attraction for 2011 Park Board Member McElroy asked how much of sales tax funding goes towards maintenance. Mr. Thornton replied about $1.4 million, but it includes Richland Tennis Center, Recreation Center, Maintenance & Operations, indirect costs and debt service. 5c. TIPPS CANINE HOLLOW MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS PRESENTATION Mr. Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent, provided an update on the maintenance and operations of Tipps Canine Hollow. The five acre park is open daily and attracts an estimated 36,000 visitors annually (people and dogs). Annual maintenance includes mowing, string trimming, tree maintenance, sod replacement, irrigation operation and repairs, litter control, cleaning of dog wash stations, fence and gate repairs and filling of holes. Mr. Bechthold said this is one of the most challenging facilities to maintain due to being open 365 days a year, 14 hours a day, along with the limitation of using chemicals and fertilizers on the grounds. There is not a lot of down time for the turf to recover. Staff has replaced some of the more worn areas with decomposed granite which helps enhance the look of the park. Gary also visited several other dog parks in the area; most of those have limited amount of grass and use mulch and crushed granite. Improvements to the dog park to -date include: installation of shade canopies ($5,000 donation from SPCA), additional parking, fence replacement and new sod, new signs and installation of decomposed granite. Staff is also researching a new dog waste system. Currently the dog waste bags are costing .03 cents a bag with approximately $900 being spent to replenish them every two months. Ms. Vickie Loftice commented that the park is "over loved" and the possibility may exist in the future to add another dog park south of Loop 820 which would help distribute use. Park Board Member Tracye Tipps commented that our dog park looks great. Comments Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 4 of 7 were also received from Ms. Nancy Higgins who stated that Tipps Canine Hollow is the nicest park and that everyone loves the decomposed granite. The Dog Park Association also puts a lot of peer pressure on participants to take care of the park. 6a. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Vickie Loftice, Managing Director of Community Services, presented an update on the following items: 2010/11 Budget Preparation — This year, the Budget Department provided target numbers for each department to reach when developing their budgets. Parks and Recreation was required to cut approximately $200,000 from the General Fund and $200,000 from the Park Fund. The budget is pending Council approval. Reductions may impact some of the maintenance standards that have been set in the past, but staff will do their very best not to impact citizens. Staff may bring back some of the new standards so the Board can help identify what is acceptable. Ms. Loftice also reiterated the reason for proceeding with the new Recreation Center given the current economic climate. The Recreation Center project is being funded through the TIF, Tax Increment Finance District which has been accumulating for quite a few years. Funds collected are designated for the new Recreation Center and cannot be used for anything else. Recreation Center Update — Design development for the Recreation Center continues with more detail and refinement of the plans. A series of meetings have been held with people from all city departments during this phase. Staff anticipates being able to bring a more detailed plan back to the Park and Recreation Board late this summer. Community Garden — There may be an opportunity for the City to develop a community garden in cooperation with the Davis Memorial United Methodist Church located on Davis Blvd. Staff has been researching community gardens, and along with Mayor Pro Tem Turnage has prepared a PowerPoint Presentation, which Mayor Pro Tem Turnage will present at the next Council meeting. Ms. Loftice also updated the Board on Mr. Marlin Miller, who is at Green Valley Rehabilitation Center following a bout with pneumonia. He is expected to be there for 5- 6 weeks. 6b. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Mrs. Sharon Davis introduced Ms. Lexi Mose, who is interning with the Parks and Recreation Department for 12 weeks. Ms. Mose is from Washington State and is Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 5 of 7 completing her internship for a degree in Recreation and Tourism. She will be working in all areas of Parks and Recreation. Ms. Davis updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: The Mayor's Health and Fitness Initiative kicked off on April 10 with a fun walk at Walker's Creek Park. The Sounds of Spring Concert Series began on Friday, April 16 with the two -time 2010 Grammy nominated One o'Clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas. The next concert will be held on April 23 with Me & My Monkey. The 2010 Annual Volunteer Luncheon will be held on April 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the NRH Recreation Center. Over 100 senior volunteers will be recognized for their volunteer time at the Bursey Road and Dan Echols Senior Centers, Social Transportation for Seniors and at the Recreation Center. Cultural Arts is hosting the Artsploration Exploration Day at the Recreation Center on Saturday, May 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Participants have the opportunity to meet the 2010 Artsploration instructors and watch while they create demos of pieces that will be made in class, or look at past student work. A $5 off coupon is being offered for classes registered for during the event. 6c. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS UPDATE ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: The Liberty Park Lake project is complete, looks great and works beautifully. 6d. AQUATIC PARK MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: NRH2O has completed its initial round of hiring for the 2010 season. The park has hired over 400 team members from almost 2,000 applications submitted. The Park opens to the general public on Saturday, May 15. The Dive -In Movie schedule has been set. Something new this year is the addition of PG13 movies. Staff was finding that the majority of people with smaller children were leaving before the movies were over. Chris also commented that "Jaws" continues to be the most popular movie. Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 6 of 7 There are a few other new things planned at NRH2O this year. Hoppers is adding outdoor grilling to its menu. Guests will be able to enjoy freshly cooked hamburgers or hotdogs. NRH is also transforming its overhead public address system into a customized radio station, dubbed "Splash Radio ". Splash Radio provides greater opportunities to advertise park offerings to guests. Several of the original slides are also being sanded and painted to help give them a fresher look. Season pass sales are good compared to last year. Mr. Rodriguez's grandchildren want to know when the river will be filled. Chris said they will be filling the river this week. 7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Loftice introduced a video highlighting Spring in North Richland Hills. This is something staff would like to look at doing at each Park Board meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Kusmierski adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Ma Kus t'�--rs'', air ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Adminis - Secretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 19, 2010 Page 7 of 7