The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPRB 2017-04-03 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 (3�d FIOOr), 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS April 3, 2017 — 6:00 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kusmierski called the meeting to order April 3, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Present: Marty Kusmierski Chair Mike Filis Vice-Chair Tracye Tipps Board Member Suzy Compton Board Member Russell Mitchell Board Member Paul Pena Board Member Dianne Spradling Board Member Absent: Kenneth Reeves Board Alternate Staff Members: Vickie Loftice Managing Director of Community Services Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Adrien Pekurney Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Frank Perez NRH2O General Manager Christina Lopez Office Coordinator Gary Bechthold Parks Superintendent Tanner Arwine Parks Assistant Superintendent Joe Pack Senior Park Planner Michael Wilson Park Planner Garrett Peek NRH Centre Manager B. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. C. INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced Mr. Garrett Peek, who has been hired as the new NRH Centre Manager. Garrett was serving as the Manager of Iron Horse Golf Course and is a Richland High School Graduate. Page 1 of 5 D. ACTION ITEMS D.1 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2017 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APPROVED PARK BOARD MEMBER PENA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2017 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. BOARD MEMBER MITCHELL SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-O. D.2 CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM THE HOMETOWN HOA FOR THE LEASE OF PAD SITES ON PARK PROPERTY ALONG HOMETOWN LAKES FOR ART INSTALLATIONS AND CONSIDER FORWARDING A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. Ms. Vickie Loftice, Managing Director, introduced Dr. Scott Trent Ph.D. representing the HomeTown HOA Community Art Committee. Dr. Trent provided information about the rotating art program that was established by Mr. Bill Gietema in the development of the HomeTown area. He also explained the process of acquiring art for the installations and the approval process. Installation and maintenance of the art will be the responsibility of the HomeTown HOA. All art placed in the rotating program will require final approval by the City of NRH as to moral and site appropriateness, as well as community safety. The Park and Recreation Board expressed concerns about any art being placed in the dedicated wildlife preserve area and the number of sites considered. APPROVED PARK BOARD MEMBER COMPTON MOVED TO SUPPORT A REQUEST FROM THE HOMETOWN HOA FOR THE LEASE OF THREE PAD SITES ON PARK PROPERTY ALONG HOMETOWN LAKES, WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH THE DEDICATED WILDLIFE PRESERVE AREA, FOR ART INSTALLATIONS THAT COMPLEMENT THE AREA AND FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. BOARD MEMBER SPRADLING SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-O. E. PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS E.1 YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL REPORTS Each year all youth sports associations are required to present an annual report to the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Jeff Pencek, President of the Richland Youth Association presented RYA's annual report. Mr. Orlando Ochoa, President of the North Richland Girls Softball League presented NRGSL's annual report. Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 3, 2017 Page 2 of 5 E.2 GREEN VALLEY PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT Mr. Michael Wilson, Park Planner, presented information on the Green Valley Playground Replacement project. Competitive sealed proposals were received from 11 different playground manufactures. After reviewing the proposals, a selection committee selected KOMPAN, Inc. to supply and install the new playground equipment at Green Valley. Mr. Jim Bassi, Regional Director and Mr. Stephen Abelson, Territory Director for KOMPAN presented information about KOMPAN, the company's philosophy and timeline for completion of the project. E.3 MONARCH BUTTERFLY RECOVERY PROGRAM Mr. Tanner Arwine, Parks Assistant Superintendent, presented information on the Monarch Butterfly Recovery Program, an educational and awareness program kicking off on April 4 with "The Great Seed Bomb". Monarch butterFlies are pollinators and an important element of the food chain. The decline in the monarch's migration has been linked primarily to milkweed habitat destruction. The Monarch Butterfly Recovery Program provides information about planting milkweed and how citizens can provide this important food source for monarchs. "The Great Seed Bomb" will occur during the first `Round the Town with Oscar on April 4. Riders will be provided "seed bombs" (small balls of compost, clay and milkweed seeds) to toss out in designated areas along the John Barfield Trail and within Cross Timbers Park. Park staff will also be planting milkweed along trails and in natural areas and the Community Garden will also be planting milkweed. Staff worked with Fort Worth Christian School to install fencing to protect the wildflower areas. F. DEPARTMENT UPDATES 8� GENERAL INFORMATION F.1 MANAGING DIRECTOR ITEMS • Fort Worth Christian Community Service Week — Students from Fort Worth Christian contributed more than 7,500 labor hours in building fencing to protect wildlife areas. They also went through 60 gallons of paint during their community service week. • Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant for Northfield Park — The City of NRH will be a recipient of a $500,000 grant for the redevelopment of Northfield Park. • Monthly Reports for Community Services — Parks and Recreation has developed new more in depth reports that will be distributed to the Park and Recreation Board monthly. • Rapid Flashing Beacon at John Barfield Trail and Smithfield Road — Installation has begun on the rapid flashing beacons at the John Barfield Trail/Smithfield Road. • Mayor's 5K on April 1 & Mayor's Bike Ride on April 4 — More than 300 people registered for the Mayor's 5K which was held this past Saturday. The first `Round the Town with Oscar, Mayor's Bike Ride will happen on Tuesday, April 4. Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 3, 2017 Page 3 of 5 • The Great Seed Bomb for Monarch Butterflies — The Great Seed Bomb will occur during the first `Round the Town with Oscar which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4. • Night of Holiday Magic possible venue change — Discussions are being held regarding a possible venue change for Night of Holiday Magic. Since the City would like to develop an entertainment district in the HomeTown area, Hawk Avenue is a possible site. Staff will be meeting to discuss the opportunities available at this location. F.2 NRH2O FAMILY WATER PARK UPDATE Mr. Frank Perez, NRH2O General Manager, presented an update on activities at NRH2O. Highlights include: • Staff is gearing up for the Musical Festival which will be held in early May. The Music Festival is a great revenue source for NRH2O and is currently up 18 — 20% compared to the same time last year. • The Endless River Bridge Installation is nearing completion and the new color scheme matches very well with the surrounding area, especially the new slides on Bounder's Thrill Tower. • The Accelerator is receiving new surFacing. When complete the slides will look brand new again. F.3 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Ms. Adrien Pekurney, Assistant Director, presented an update on activities at the NRH Centre, Athletics, Senior Center, Tennis Center and the Grand Hall. Highlights include: • Family Movie Night was held on Friday, March 31 with more than 300 people in attendance. • Saturday was very busy at the NRH Centre: The Mayor's 5K Walk began at 9:00 a.m. with approximately 300 people in attendance, April Pool's Day began at 11:00 a.m. with 200 people in attendance and the Youth Summer Activities Fair was held from 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. and featured over 40 vendors promoting youth summer activities. • The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for April 27 at 11:30 a.m. • Easter in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Valley Park. • The Sounds of Spring Concerts begin on Friday, April 14 with the Michael Lee Band. • This year's Community Partner Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in The Terrace prior to the SOS Concert featuring Escape, a Journey Tribute Band. • The first `Round the Town with Oscar Bike Ride will begin on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Cross Timbers Park. • North Richland Hills is partnering with other DFW Cities in the upcoming "City Nature Challenge". Sam Kieschnick, the DFW Area Urban Wildlife Biologist Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 3, 2017 Page 4 of 5 with Texas Parks and Wildlife will be onsite at Cross Timbers Park on April 17 from 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. to help local groups gather information to identify and document all the different flora, fauna and wildlife within Cross Timbers Park. Anyone that wants to participate is needs to register for a "i-naturalist" profile on TPWD's website. The DFW Area is competing against other city such as Houston and Austin. The challenge will be held from April 14 — 18. • The Grand Hall was awarded the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce "Member of the Month" at their March Luncheon. This is a testament to the efforts of Amity Robbins diligence in building strong relationships with our community partners. F.4 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT ON PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Director, presented an update on Parks Capital Projects. Highlights include: • Staff submitted a grant application for the Transportation Alternatives Set- Aside call for projects from the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Applications were due on February 24. The City will be advised in June of grant status. F.5 PARK MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS UPDATE Mr. Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent, presented an update on Park Maintenance and Operations. Gary identified goals and objectives for the parks maintenance division as well as their Mission Statement — "Provide Safe Clean Parks with Curb-Side Appeal". G. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Suzy Compton, Park Board Member, complimented staff on the maintenance of Davis Blvd and our park system. H. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kusmierski adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. ; � � � _�1!1�,1�' � arty Kusmie ' Chair ATTEST: � �. � � '�11,� � �, . Christina Lopez, Office oo � ator Park and Recreation Board Minutes April 3,2017 Page 5 of 5