HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB 2015-02-02 Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE TERRACE AT THE GRAND HALL,
6000 HAWK AVENUE
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
February 2, 2015 — 6:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Filis called the meeting to order February 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mike Filis Vice Chair
Tracye Tipps Board Member
Suzy Compton Board Member
Russell Mitchell Board Member
Dianne Spradling Board Member
Paul Pena Board Member
Absent: Marty Kusmierski Chair
Beverly Hunt 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
Frank Perez NRH General Manager
Christina Lopez Administrative Secretary
Tina Earle Communications /Events Manager
Michael Wilson Park Planner
Adrien Pekurney NRH Centre Manager
Ron Newman Recreation Coordinator
Chelsey Lamar NRH Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Mr. Frank Perez, Aquatic Park Manager, introduced new team member Ms. Chelsey Lamar.
Chelsey has been hired as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator for NRH2O.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no requests to speak from the public.
3. ACTION ITEMS
3 -a. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2014 PARK AND RECREATION
BOARD MEETING
APPROVED
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MR. MITCHELL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1, 2014 PARK AND
RECREATION BOARD MEETING. MS. COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5 -0.
3 -b. RECOMMENDATION TO READOPT THE NRH YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS
OF CARE ORDINANCE
APPROVED
Mr. Ron Newman, Recreation Program Coordinator, presented the 2015 Youth Programs
Standards of Care. The application for exemption determination and the formal adoption of
the Youth Programs Standards of Care and ordinance is an annual requirement. All of the
Standards of Care included in the City of North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation day
camp policies and procedures have been in place for several years and have been used in
the staff training process prior to camp each year.
MS. COMPTON MOVED TO FORWARD THE YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE ORDINANCE TO
CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. MS. SPRADLING SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5 -0.
4. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS
4 -a. YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS UPDATES
Each year the youth sports associations provide an annual report to the Park and Recreation
Board on selected items outlined in the Field Use Agreement. Orlando Ochoa, President of
the North Richland Girls Softball League, presented the annual report for NRGSL.
4 -b. 2014/15 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET DISCUSSION
Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented a review of the
FY14/15 Capital Improvement Program completed projects as well as the FY15/16 proposed
projects.
FY14/15 Projects:
Annual Tree Planting
City Wide Trail and Route System Plan
Major Trail Neighborhood Connectors
Northfield Park Security Lights
Park Infrastructure Maintenance
RTC Infrastructure Maintenance
Scoreboard Replacement
Trail Head Gateways
NRH Centre Infrastructure
Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2015 Page 2 of 6
FY15/16 Proposed Projects:
Trail & Route System Plan — Phase I, (Recommendations of the Mobility Plan).
Green Valley Raceway Historical Plaza & Trailhead
Major Trail Rest Stations
Northfield Park Redevelopment
Park Infrastructure Maintenance
RTC Infrastructure Maintenance
Trail Head Gateway at Shadywood & Davis
Walker's Creek Playground and Shade
Park System Signage — Phase I
Staff will review sales tax estimates and available funding for the 2015/16 Proposed CIP
Budget. Formal adoption of the 2015/16 Budget will be approved in September.
Ms. Loftice asked the Park and Recreation Board if they had any suggestions or needs for
staff to consider and to help us prioritize.
Park Board Member Tracye Tipps inquired about the water fountains at the dog park. Mr.
Thornton will check on that and call Tracye.
Park Board Member Russ Mitchell requested the addition of benches around the pond at
Linda Spurlock Park.
4 - c. PARKS AND RECREATION WEBSITE UPDATE & MAPPING
Ms. Tina Earle, Communications /Events Manager, presented an update on the Park's page
on the city's website which includes a new design, new slide show, thumbnail pictures of
each park and clickable links to each park's page.
Mr. Michael Wilson, Park Planner, presented information on three map products. Two of the
maps are printable and include an updated Trail System Map and a Parks and Facilities Map
which lists all the parks, trails and facilities. The third map product is an Interactive Map which
uses the google maps interface with our data and information overlaid on to it. In the
interactive map, if you click on a section of trail, a window will pop up with the name of the
trail, an image and a clickable link to take you to the trails website page.
Park Board Member Mike Filis inquired about the possibility of adding an electronic map that
can be downloaded on a device.
Mr. Bill Thornton presented information on a GIS system the city already has but is not being
used to its full capability. The City currently uses GIS software and we may have the
opportunity to tie into the GIS software with a public interface and an internal interface. The
public interface could be tied into our website for more public interaction. The internal
interface could be tied in with park maintenance software and help with tracking and reporting
for the division. The public interface can be tied into the website so people can drill down into
the park story, maps and park viewers.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2015 Page 3 of 6
4 -d. PARK ENTRY SIGNAGE — RICHFIELD PARK SIGN REPLACEMENT
This item was covered in the FY15/16 proposed capital projects update.
4 -e. COMMON GROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN
Park Board Member Dianne Spradling provided an update on the Community Garden. She
also reported that the garden had received a Keep Texas Beautiful grant for the Junior
Master Gardener program. The Keep NRH Beautiful Board submitted the grant on behalf of
the garden. The Community Garden will be focusing on education this year by holding
monthly mini seminars during their regular garden works days, which are scheduled for the
3 Saturday of each month. The one hour mini seminars will focus on various aspects of
gardening. The Community Garden is also helping Mullendore Elementary School start a
garden by providing a couple of 4x4 plots for the kids to plant and harvest. They will also go
out and help the kids from time to time with their garden. The garden is looking at utilizing
fertilizer from a Llama farm in Keller.
4 -f. MEMORIAL TREE FOR KELLEY TICHENOR MCCALL
Park Board Chair Marty Kusmierski and Board Member Suzy Compton followed up on the
suggestion that the Park and Recreation Board contribute to a memorial tree in honor of
Councilman Tom Lombard's daughter Kelley Tichenor McCall.
Suzy Compton shared that Tom and Paula Lombard were very touched by the Park Board's
offer to dedicate a memorial tree for Kelley. Suzy asked Tom about the type of tree and the
location he preferred and he suggested a Live Oak tree and that it be planted at Green Valley
Park where their three girls often played while growing up. The Park Board supported the
proposal. Suzy said that she would notify the Park Board on the date and time of the
dedication.
4 -g. TEXAS RECREATION AND PARKS LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAM
City Council approved a Resolution requesting the members of the 84 Legislation restore $2
million dollars in grant funding to the Texas Recreation and Parks Local Grant Program.
4 -h. PARTNERSHIP WITH CAMP FIRE FIRST TEXAS
Ms. Vickie Loftice updated the Park and Recreation Board on a meeting that was held
recently with Camp Fire First Texas who is looking at a partnership with the City for joint
summer camp and outdoor education programs and future facilities. Camp Fire lost the site
they have leased for a number of years from Lockheed Martin for their summer camp
program. Camp Fire is currently looking for a site for their summer camp program and staff
suggested the possible use of North Ridge Elementary School's gymnasium since it is
adjacent to Cross Timbers Park. Staff helped coordinate a meeting between Camp Fire and
North Ridge Elementary.
Very early discussions have also been held with Camp Fire about a possible partnership in
building an outdoor education center in Cross Timbers Park. Staff wanted to bring this before
Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2015 Page 4 of 6
the Park and Recreation Board to get their input in whether to continue exploring this
opportunity or if there were any concerns.
The Park and Recreation Board were in consensus with exploring the opportunity of a
possible partnership with Camp Fire in the development of an Outdoor Education Center at
Cross Timbers Park.
4 - i. 2015 SOUNDS OF SPRING LINE UP
Ms. Tina Earle presented the lineup for the 2015 Sounds of Spring Concert Series which has
been expanded to six concerts.
April 17 - Brave Combo
April 24 — Memphis Soul
May 1 — Me and My Monkey
May 8 — Dale Watson
May 15 — Petty Theft, plus opening act Jennifer Perryman
May 22 — James Hinkle, Buddy Whittington and James Elmore
4 - j. NRH CENTRE UPDATE
Ms. Adrien Pekurney, NRH Centre Manager, provided an update on activities at the NRH
Centre including financials and memberships.
5. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
5.a. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS
Mr. Thornton offered to answer any questions regarding the Parks Capital Projects update
included in the Park Board Packet. There were no additional questions.
5 - b. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Ms. Sharon Davis presented an update on activities at the NRH Centre, Athletics, Senior
Center, Tennis Center and the Grand Hall.
The NRH Centre will celebrate their 3rd anniversary on Saturday April 11. The celebration will
kick -off with the annual Mayor's 5K Walk on Saturday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m. Activities include
a fun fitness presentation by the Dallas Mavericks mascot and Mays Man Slam Dunk
entertainment. Other activities include the promotion of NRH Centre programs, summer
camps, and swim lessons.
The NRH Senior Center will hold their first Chili Cook -off on February 18. They will also hold
their annual Health Fair on March 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Richland Tennis Center will host a Valentine's Mixer on Saturday, February 14.
Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2015 Page 5 of 6
Easter in the Park will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at
Green Valley Park.
Grand Hall revenue is up 11% for the 1 quarter of the FY compared to last FY.
5 - c. NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPATE
Mr. Frank Perez presented an update on activities at NRH
The Polar Plunge was held on January 24 with over 110 plungers. More than $15,000 was
raised for the Special Olympics program.
NRH has begun hiring for the 2015 Season. The annual rehire kick -off party will be held on
February 5.
Season Pass sales are currently up over $12,000 compared to the same time last year.
Chelsey Lamar has joined the NRH2O team as the new Group Sales and Marketing
Coordinator. Chelsey graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Communication
Studies. One of her first jobs was working in the front gate department at the water park,
eventually working her way up to front gate lead. She has also worked as a Summer Camp
Director for NRH, a cast member at Walt Disney World and a promotions assistant and
emcee for Radio Disney. Most recently, Chelsey worked as a digital marketing coordinator for
(Prospect and a media sales coordinator for the Dallas Morning News. Note, she was one of
Suzy's students and worked for Birdville School District for a year.
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
The Calendar of Events is attached.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Filis adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Mike Filis, ice Chair
ATTEST
• r , i
/ ltd
Christina Lopez, Admit' str4 e Secretary
Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 2, 2015 Page 6 of 6