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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2010-06-07 Minutes s MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL WORKROOM, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS JUNE 7, 2010 — 6:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Kusmierski called the meeting to order June 7, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Present: Marty Kusmierski Chair Ricky McElroy Board Member Jay Crane Board Member Marlin Miller Board Member Mike Filis 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 Tito Rodriguez Board Member 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 19, 2010 MEETING APPROVED MR. CRANE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 19, 2010 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MR. MCELROY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5 -0. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS None Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 1 of 8 4-a. PUBLIC TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY Staff is in the process of drafting a Public Tree Management Policy in response to complaints arising from the release of seed, leaves, and other physical characteristics of a tree located on public property. Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist presented the proposed policy which addresses: the City's management philosophy for trees in parks and on public property; recommendations for action when complaints arise from a tree or trees; and costs associated with the removal and replacement of a tree or trees. Staff asked the Park and Recreation Board for direction on five key considerations for inclusion in the policy: 1. Should the extent of time a tree exhibits objectionable qualities be a consideration when determining if a tree should be removed? 2. Should the extent that the tree creates a nuisance or only partially contributes to the nuisance be a factor in determining removal of a tree? 3. Should the complainant secure a consensus for removal of the tree from adjacent property owners? 4. Should the complainant pay for the removal of an offending tree or trees located on public property? 5. Should the City contribute to the replacement of the removed tree? Discussion was held. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board that healthy trees should not be removed from public property unless it is identified as a nuisance and meets the criteria established in the policy. MOTION: MR. MILLER MOVED THAT A TIME FRAME BE ESTABLISHED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF TIME A TREE IS CONSIDERED A NUISANCE; CONSENSUS FROM ADJACENT HOMEOWNERS, WITHIN 200 FEET, SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS WELL AS OTHER TREES WITHIN THE AREA WHICH MIGHT BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE NUISANCE; THE COMPLAINANT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REMOVAL OF AN OFFENDING TREE AND THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS WILL SELECT AND PLANT A REPLACEMENT TREE WITH THE COMPLAINANT BEARING THE BURDEN OF THE COST. THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDS FORWARDING THE PUBLIC TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY TO CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL. MR. MCELROY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-0. Page 2 of 8 4 -b. ADVENTURE WORLD PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT PLAN The Parks and Recreation Department maintains an Asset Management Plan for park amenities. Periodically, staff has to amend the Asset Management Plan to address maintenance demands. Most recently, the result of use and age have accelerated the need for replacement of the playground equipment at Adventure World. The playground, built in 1994, is comprised of both wood and fiberglass and has proven to not be sustainable in the Texas sun. Some of the smaller pieces of equipment have been removed because they are no longer recommended by the National Playground Safety Institute. Replacement parts for many of the larger units are no longer available so playground pieces have not been replaced, prompting complaints from park users. Replacement/renovation of the playground structures is included in the long range Park Infrastructure Asset Management Plan beginning in FY2014/2015. Staff recommends addressing the replacement of the equipment as early as FY2011/2012 with some smaller components. The cost of replacing the equipment is estimated at $450,000. Staff would like direction from the Park and Recreation Board on the following: 1. Originally the playground equipment was selected by the volunteer group, Adventure World, Inc. The City could consider using the original community -build approach whereby volunteers would attempt to raise funds and work to reconstruct the playground. This approach will most likely take more time than the remaining life of the existing equipment. An option might be to invite the available original committee members to participate in helping develop a theme for selection of new equipment with the City implementing the project. OPTION 1 — Volunteer funded and volunteer built OPTION 2 — City funded with volunteers involved with the theming of the new equipment 2. Although staff would prefer to replace all the equipment at once, the available budget may require that the equipment be phased in over a couple of years. An Adventure World Equipment Replacement Master Plan will help guide equipment priorities. OPTION 1 — Phase in and fund the cost of the equipment over a couple of years OPTION 2 — Budget for complete replacement of the playground equipment with the understanding that some other projects may have to be delayed. (Contingent on available funding as a part of the annual budget preparation in FY2011/2012) Discussion was held. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 3 of 8 MOTION: MR. MILLER MOVED TO CONTACT THE ORIGINAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM ADVENTURE WORLD INC., TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE THEMING OF THE PLAYGROUND AND BUDGET FOR THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE PLAYGROUND. MR. FILIS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 4 -1. MS. TIPPS VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION, COMMENTING THAT IT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR ONE PARK. 4-c. TIPPS CANINE HOLLOW PARK LIGHTS Nancy Higgins, President of the Tipps Canine Hollow Park Pals Association attended the April 19, 2010 Park and Recreation Board meeting and requested that the Board consider funding a larger portion of the cost related to the installation of lights at the dog park and also requested that staff consider the use of solar lights to possibly reduce the cost of the project. In 2007 a Park Amenity Request, to add lights to Tipps Canine Hollow, was presented to the Park and Recreation Board. The Board recommended that the dog park association fund 50% of the cost of the lights with the remaining half funded through the Park Development Corporation sales tax budget. The original estimated cost for the lights was $120,000. City Council concurred with this approach. The dog park association began meeting and organizing to raise funds. At this time the dog park association has raised less than $3,500. Challenged by the difficulty of raising funds, the association requested that the City consider funding a higher percentage of the cost of the lights. Ms. Higgins also requested that solar lights be considered and that the original estimate of the lights be revisited. Mr. Joe Pack, Senior Park Planner, examined the possibility of solar lights and found that because of the dense tree coverage, solar lights are not a good option. Mr. Pack contacted Yaggie Engineering, the firm that provided the original estimate for the lights. The light engineer provided a revised estimate of $100,000 as a result of the recent decreases in materials costs. Discussion included establishing a timeframe for the dog park association to raise their portion of the cost of the lights. MOTION: MR. CRANE MOVED TO CAP THE CITY'S PORTION OF THE FUNDING FOR THE ADDITION OF LIGHTS AT TIPPS CANINE HOLLOW AT $60,000 AND ESTABLISH A TIME PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 4 of 8 THROUGH JULY 1, 2011, FOR THE DOG PARK ASSOCIATION TO RAISE THEIR PORTION OF THE COST OF THE LIGHTS, OTHERWISE THE FUNDING BUDGETED MAY BE RELEASED AND USED FOR OTHER PROJECTS. MR. MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 4-0. MS. TIPPS ABSTAINED DUE TO CONFLICT. 4-d. SET DATE FOR SPECIAL MEETING FOR UPDATE OF RECREATION CENTER Staff will present an update to City Council on the design of the new Recreation Center on Monday, June 14, 2010. Staff would like to present the same update to the Park and Recreation Board and get their input. It was the consensus of the board to schedule a work session on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. 5-a. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Vickie Loftice updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: Budget Update and Remarks — A mid -year budget work session is schedule to address budget short falls. Currently the Parks Maintenance and Operations division is short four staff members. Three of the positions are on hold possibly through FYI0 /11. The Parks Maintenance Division is reviewing the option of adopting new standards of care due to the shortage in staff. Staff is also encouraged to re- imagine their jobs and focus on priorities. Common Ground Community Garden — The new community garden will be named "Common Ground NRH Community Garden ". Staff is currently working on sponsorships and donations, and anticipates a percentage of the produce grown to go to the food pantry. Boy Scout Project — Flag Pole at Cross Timbers Park — Geoff Sherman has been working with a Boy Scout Project to retro fit a street light for a flag pole at Cross Timbers Park. Staff is waiting on an inspection from Building Services to proceed with the project. Mr. Filis asked about flags at Richfield Park. Staff responded that the user groups control the flags at this facility and they are only raised when they are playing their games. Ribbon Cutting of the Bridge at Calloway Creek and Ground Breaking for the Boulevard 26 Trail — Chair Kusmierski is planning on attending. Grand Re- Opening of the McDonalds on Rufe Snow Drive — Staff will be attending the reopening of the McDonalds on Rufe Snow Drive. McDonalds created a mural highlighting NRH2O Family Water Park and Iron Horse Golf Course. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 5 of 8 July as National Recreation and Park Month — A Proclamation will be presented at the June 28 City Council Meeting recognizing July at National Recreation and Park Month. 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 Richland Tennis Center hosted the NRH Adult Open May 7 -10 with 186 entries. Participants in the Mayor's Health & Fitness Initiative have logged more than 11.6 million steps to date. The Recreation Center Annual Dance Recital was held on May 15 at the BISD Shannon Center Auditorium. Approximately 1,000 people attended to watch the 120 dance students perform 30 different routines. Mrs. Carolyn Riehl choreographed and coordinated the entire recital. Summer Camp NRH which was filled to capacity began on June 1, 2010. The eleven week program runs from June 1 thru August 13 and will have 65 campers, ages 6 -12 each week. The Sounds of Spring Concert Series grand finale took place on Friday, May 7 with Django Walker. Opening the evening was a local act comprised of Richland High School graduates — "The Cut Off'. The evening ended with a 3 -D fireworks display. The 2010 series drew 4,000 people in attendance for the four -part series. The Biscuit Brothers are scheduled to perform two shows at Linda Spurlock Park on Saturday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The Biscuit Brothers are an Emmy Award winning television program that is broadcast on PBS stations around the nation. The Dan Echols Senior Center will hold their 7 annual Garage Sale on Friday, June 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Funds raised will benefit the center's Scholarship Program. The Bursey Road Senior Center is planning on a Family and Friends Talent Show to be held on June 25 at 12:00 Noon. The talent show is open to all ages. The City of North Richland Hills along with Haltom City, Richland Hills and the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Family 4 Fireworks show to be held on Saturday, July 3, 2010. The show will start at 9:30 p.m. and will include 20 minutes of fireworks. Parking is available at the ATI Career Training Center and Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum. This year's show was made possible thanks to the support of Chesapeake Energy and the following organizations: North Hills Hospital, Oncor, Coca - Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 6 of 8 Cola, Birdville ISD, Atmos Energy, ATI Career Center, IESA, J3 Group, KDKR 91.3, Northeast Times and Kona Ice. 5-c. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON LISTED ITEMS UPDATE ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bill Thornton updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: City Council awarded a contract to GreenScaping for the construction of the Blvd 26 Trail. A pre- construction meeting is scheduled for July 2, 2010. Staff is working with Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein to complete a supplemental agreement for the realignment of the Calloway Branch Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail. Design work is estimated to continue for six to eight months. Staff is working with the contractor to address some minor drainage issues at Stormy Plaza. Staff is working with Alpha Building Corporation to address items identified in the Richland Tennis Center's Asset Management Program. Improvements include new flooring for the lobby, replacement of the customer service counter and repairs to the roof. Proposals for a new attraction at NRH2O are due on June 4, 2010. Staff has been working with Schrickel, Rollins and Associates on geo -tech work and survey work which is now complete. Once the new attraction is selected, design work for the infrastructure will begin. The new attraction will be under construction as soon as the park closes for the season. Conceptual design work continues on the new food services building at NRH 5-d. AQUATIC PARK MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Chris Swartz updated the Park and Recreation Board on the following: The Park opened under cloudy skies, but a recent shift in the weather has provided some great weather. The Hoppers Grill is now offering fresh grilled -to -order hamburgers and hot dogs. This service is off to a strong start. Plans are also underway for another Dip n' Dots to be located by the Professor Frogstein's Splashatory. NRH2O is trying a new "Pre- Opening" procedure to help minimize lines and provide better service to guests. Approximately 15 minutes prior to the park's scheduled Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 7 of 8 opening, guests are admitted through the turnstiles into a courtyard area defined by blue cones. At approximately 5 minutes prior to the park opening, season pass holders having a "Greatest Value" cared are admitted to the park. The procedure has decreased congestion at the Front Gate and allows guests to begin enjoying the park at opening, rather than waiting in line. NRH2O participated in the Guinness Book of Work Records - World's Largest Swimming Lesson on June 3. NRH2O has had their best attendance to date through Memorial Day. NRH2O will have a fireworks display on Saturday, June 19. 7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Loftice introduced a video prepared by Tina Earle highlighting "Summertime in NRH ". 8. ADJOURNMENT Chairwoman Kusmierski adjourned the meeting at 8:36 t . • ‘ 4 \ 1-■._ Atwr.■ Mart Kusm' 7 ATTEST: Christina Lopez, Adminis ati ecretary Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 7, 2010 Page 8 of 8