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Home My WebLink AboutPRB 2015-12-07 Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL WORK ROOM, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 December 7, 2015 — 6:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kusmierski called the meeting to order December 7, 2015 at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Marty Kusmierski Chair Mike Filis Vice-Chair Tracye Tipps Board Member Suzy Compton Board Member Russell Mitchell Board Member Paul Pena Board Member Absent: Dianne Spradling Board Member Beverly Hunt Alternate Staff Members: Vickie Loftice Managing Director of Community Services Bill Thornton Assistant Director Frank Perez NRH2O General Manager Christina Lopez Office Coordinator 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. 3. ACTION ITEMS 3-a. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 17, 2015 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APPROVED PARK BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 17, 2015 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. BOARD MEMBER PENA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-0. 3-b. APPROVE A RECOMMENDATION TO FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL THE UPDATE TO THE 2007 PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN REFLECTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE AND INCORPORATING THE UPDATED RANKED PRIORITIES APPROVED Page 1 of 5 The City Council and Park and Recreation Board held a joint workshop on October 5, 2015 to discuss progress towards completing the priorities of the 2007 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, presented an overview of items accomplished to date or currently under construction and are soon to be completed. These include: • Completion of the 1994 City-Wide Trail System Master Plan • Construction of a modern recreation center • New modern senior center facilities • Redevelopment of Northfield Park • Protection of natural areas and introduction of education signage • Construction of trail heads and gateways • Infrastructure improvements to Richfield Park • Shade structures for sun protection • Gateways to each park • Informational signage about ecology and habitat protection • Establish native riparian plants along creeks and drainage easements After thorough discussion, the Council and Park Board concurred on the following top ten Updated Ranked Priorities: 1. Northfield Park Redevelopment 2. Linda Spurlock Park Renovation 3. Fossil Creek Park Improvements 4. Additional Trail Connections & Markings 5. Dog Park South of Loop 820 6. Norich Park Phase 2 7. Neighborhood Park in Far Southwest NRH 8. Cross Timbers Park Phase 2 9. Neighborhood Park in South Central NRH 10. Skate Park or Skate Spots PARK BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL MOVED TO FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN TO REFLECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE AND INCORPORATING THE UPDATED RANKED PRIORITIES. VICE-CHAIR FILIS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-0. 4. DEPARTMENT UPDATES 4.a. MANAGING DIRECTOR'S UPDATE Vickie Loftice, Managing Director, provided an update on the following items. • City Hall Ribbon Cutting has been set for Saturday, April 9, 2016. The Mayor's 5K Walk has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 2, 2016. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7,2015 Page 2 of 5 • Cross Timbers Fire & Fire Management Plan — There was a fire at Cross Timbers Park which appeared to have started in the prairie and burned about 10 acres. • Fundraising and Donations Update for the John Barfield Trail Head Parking at Davis & Shadywood Ln — Mr. Barfield has raised $65,000 of the $90,000 needed for the John Barfield Trail Head Parking. Mr. Barfield also donated $20,000 for the first NRH Road Runner which was held in October as a fundraiser for the HELP Organization and the John Barfield Trail Head. The HELP Organization builds water wells in Nigeria and is one of three non-profits that Mr. Barfield donates money to. Mr. Barfield's generosity does not end there; he also donated $10,000 for Bluebonnet seeds which were planted along the Barfield Trail. Mr. Barfield is leaving quite a legacy in North Richland Hills and the Parks and Recreation Department is proud to be named a benefactor of Mr. Barfield which could include significant contributions in the future. • 2016 NRH Road Runner 5K is set for Saturday, October 1, 2016 — Staff will partner with the Community Enrichment Center for the 2016 NRH Road Runner. Half of the proceeds raised will go to the Community Enrichment Center. • Stormy Plaza and Pet Waste Situation — Staff has been trying to address pet waste issues at Stormy Plaza for quite a while now. Discussions have been held with the apartments and pet waste stations were installed. New signs are being developed which take a more direct approach to the situation. The last resort would be to not allow pets in the park, which staff would like to avoid. The new signs will be a combination of two signs presented at the meeting. • Update on the Park Located at the Dolce Apartments — Construction on the Dolce Apartments is nearing completion. Included in the construction is a new park which will be dedicated to the City. The park site has not been officially named yet. Chair Kusmierski inquired about the crossing at Mid-Cities by Buckingham; there is not a push button for the lights to ensure a safe crossing and she wanted to know if there were plans to look at this. Mr. Thornton responded that the City has hired a firm to look at all trail connections and trouble spots, including this location. Staff plans on seeking input from avid cyclists as well. 4-b. NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPDATE Mr. Frank Perez, Water Park General Manager, provided an update on activities at NRH2O. • Park Performance — NRH2O's attendance finished at approximately 4% ahead of last year's attendance levels. Revenue finished at approximately 6% ahead of last year's revenues as well. • Off Season Activities — Park staff is currently working on a number of off season projects to improve guest experience at NRH2O. Projects include replacement seating furniture by River Falls Café as well as a new food cart at this location. Staff is also working on the renovation to the original "Birthday Island" since the secondary birthday spot is being used for the new slide complex. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 2015 Page 3 of 5 • NRH2O staff is working with a company named Forrec, a branding agency out of Canada, who is updating the branding and signage concepts for NRH2O. Some of the items to update include: new branding themes and ideas for the main entrance to the park and the back wall of the wave pool as well as updated signage for the park as a whole. Forrec is also working on updating the main park logo. • Polar Plunge — Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2016. The event benefits Special Olympics Texas — Greater Fort Worth area. Registration for plunge day will start at 8:30 a.m. with plunging starting at 10:00 a.m. • Season Pass Sale — Season passes are on sale for the 2016 Season. • Slide Tower Removal — Mr. Perez said he has taken video of the old slide tower coming down and has already received over 2,000 views. 4-c. UPDATE ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director, provided an update on the following projects: • Adventure World Playground Shade — USA Shade is currently refining concepts and doing a shade study to present to staff. • Major Trail/Neighborhood Connectors — Staff has completed the layout of an 8' wide sidewalk connecting the Calloway Branch Trail to the concession and restroom buildings and all the ballfields and bleacher areas at Richfield Park. Construction documents are being developed with the project going out for bid after the first of 2016. • NRH2O Slide Tower Replacement — Demolition of the old slide tower is complete and the contractor, JC Commercial, is beginning excavation for footings for the new slide tower. Construction will be complete prior to the 2016 Season. 4-d. UPDATE ON NRH CENTRE, GRAND HALL, SENIOR CENTER, RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Ms. Vickie Loftice presented an update on the following programs or services: • The theme for the NRH Centre's New Year's membership promotion is "Path to a Healthier You". Annual memberships renewed or purchased during December and January will receive a "Healthy baker's dozen" 13 months for the price of 12. • The Aquatics area and Gymnasium will be closed for a period of time in the month of December for annual maintenance and repairs. The Aquatics area will be closed from December 7 at noon until December 11 at 5:00 p.m. Annual maintenance and repairs will include the following: acid wash pool plaster, repair plaster patches, spa grout repairs, caulking of the slides and the installation of a basketball sleeve in the deck. The Gymnasium will be closed from December 10 thru December 22 for the resurfacing of the gymnasium floor. Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7, 2015 Page 4 of 5 5. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 5a. CALENDAR OF EVENTS The calendar of events was included in the packet. 5-b. PARK AND RECREATION BOARD UPDATES (August, September, October & November) Park Board Updates for August, September, October & December were included in the packet. 6. ADJOURNAMENT Chair Kusmierski adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. • f■ gI411 �`._ Mart Kusmier "' r ATTEST: au:644i g Christina Lopez, Office C : Park and Recreation Board Minutes December 7,2015 Page 5 of 5